MLK Day becomes Robert E. Lee Day in three Deep South states

As millions in the U.S. and global community gathered last week to honor the legacy, sacrifices and accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., others came together to honor a 19th-century military leader whose goal was to keep the fledgling nation separate and unequal.

Three states in the Deep South —Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi — chose to use the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Na­tional Holi­day to jointly honor Con­federate Gen­eral Robert E. Lee. These three states — none of which are widely considered progressive — make a point of posting signs and notices on government buildings that made their intentions clear to residents and visitors.

This proverbial slap in the face comes as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma march to Montgomery in Alabama the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

It also comes as some continue to insist that the election of President Barack Obama marks the onset of a post-racial America.

Ironically, Lee’s home state of Virginia, the seat of the Confederacy where Gen. Lee was raised, led the Confederacy in its efforts to secede from the Union and died, discontinued honoring him several decades ago.

Although efforts are under way to promote legislation that makes the King federal holiday a singular holiday honoring only the civil rights icon, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson told The Associated Press that he has not yet determined how he will resolve the matter in his state.

“I haven’t thought about it, so I’d have to give it some more thought,” Hutchinson said Wednesday. “History is important to me and we’ve just got to balance those, obviously.”

While Louisiana has passed no such legislation honoring Lee, Robert E. Lee Boulevard and Lee Circle in majority-Black New Orleans are named for the Confederate General.

This article originally published in the January 26, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.