Civil War Memorial Debate

(African American Civil War Memorial & Museum in Washington, D.C.)

I read three different perspectives on the Civil War memorial debate we have today within communities and the government. These perspectives include the courage and honorable virtues that came wth Civil War soldiers which we need to remember and memorialize (Bryars), the progressive voice these memorials have that should stay and grow (Keith), and the ultimately evil ideology that was the cause of the Civil War which should not be memorialized (Persons).
J. Pepper Bryars' best point to his perspective was that these fallen soldiers' descendants have shaped, help defend and rebuild our country, that these young fathers and sons and brothers should be commemorated for their brave duty regardless of the circumstances. Bryars point I actually agree with most, because these men were the ones who did the hands on, difficult, heartbreaking, fight and sacrificed their life for our country. LeeAnna Keith's best point to her argument was that by memorializing, either the good or bad, the war helps us understand and learn. Finally David Persons' best point to his view was that by memorializing these fallen soldiers with the generals and the government itself more memorializes and symbolizes the unethical meaning behind the Civil War, the fight for slavery.