AP Explains: How Robert E. Lee went from hero to racist icon

[StevieM]

~snip~

Confederate Army Gen. Robert E. Lee was vilified during the Civil War only to become a heroic symbol of the South's "Lost Cause" — and eventually a racist icon.

His transformation, at the center of the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, reflects the changing moods in the United States around race, mythology and national reconciliation, historians say.

Lee monuments, memorials and schools in his name erected at the turn of the 20th Century are now facing scrutiny amid a demographically changing nation.

But who was Robert E. Lee beyond the myth? Why are there memorials in his honor in the first place?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ap-explains-robert-e-lee-went-hero-racist-202809092--politics.html

[genxlib]

1. I am afraid of that link

Knowing what I know about the comment section on Yahoo News, this is not going to end well.

They are a cesspool of trolls on a good day.

[StevieM]

2. You could always just read the article and skip the comments.

I didn't actually read the comments myself so I have no idea what they say.

[Gothmog]

3. These statutes were erected in the 1960s to try to intimidate African Americans

[Quixote1818]

4. Most important part of the article here

Documents show Lee was a cruel figure with his slaves and encouraged his overseers to severely beat slaves captured after trying to escape. One slave said Lee was one of the meanest men she had ever met.