On white supremacy

On Aug. 19, white supremacists gathered once more in Hot Springs to worship their Confederate deities and further ostracize the citizens of color in our state.

I speak to the decent white individuals who read this: Please work to stop these egregious displays whenever and however you can. I understand the fear; we watched as a counterprotester was murdered in Charlottesville. The fear is real and justified. However, the violence will only escalate until enough people stand in opposition to these hate groups.

While the Confederate rallies in Hot Springs have not brought on overt violence, I am positive that the impact on our black citizens is a form of violence white people don’t understand or experience. It is our job to create a safer, more stable atmosphere for the people of color in our state. It is our responsibility to end these hateful parades of white supremacy. In fact, it is a celebration of our heritage and our great nation to shout over the voices of those who would strip other human beings of their rights.

The Confederacy is not Southern heritage; it is a sad reminder of a failed rebellion that existed to continue labeling people of color as property. Arkansas has spent too long being in national headlines for our mistakes—let’s start showing the nation that Arkansas can be a front-runner in the fight for racial equality. ERICA KRINER Pine Bluff

The Civil War claimed the lives of between 600,000 and 800,000 young American men. It was a horrific, bloody war fought by young men; many were mere boys. Few, I suspect, had anything is common with the men who promoted this bloody conflict. Their recruitment was cloaked in the guise of a noble cause. Ironically, wealthy men were able to buy substitutes as did a young John D. Rockefeller. Many were conscripted into the army and forced to fight. I do not favor anything that glorifies this tragic, ill-advised war.

There were civilians in the South who literally starved to death during the war. Many who survived were forced to eat rats, earthworms and insects. Some of the men who survived the war went home maimed and crippled and were unable to help their families in the fields.

Yes, there were courageous and noble commanders. Some of their exploits almost bring a tear to my eye. On the other hand, there were also commanders like Nathan Bedford Forrest. When faced with the surrender of a black regiment at Fort Pillow, he simply murdered them. Forrest is the man credited with starting the KKK.

I admire the brave young men who fought this conflict even through I detest that senseless war. I think these men should be remembered, but perhaps not so prominently in our public places where they become reminders that divide us. Perhaps we can better honor them in our state parks, Civil War cemeteries and museums.

What about other episodes of history, such as slavery, segregation, women unable to vote, and children working long hours in sweat shops? Is any of that dark history worth preserving? GARY W. JOHNSON

Springdale