Online Resources

This list provides a good background on the source and current state of systemic racism in the USA. The are source from various members suggestions. Variously, these articles and maps will give you the information you need around demystifying Robert E. Lee and help with a deeper understanding of the insidiousness of systemic racism and white privilege.

None of these are required reading for our cause, but we are providing a list of them for those that are interesting in learning more, whether it's for their own understanding or to help them in hard conversations with friends who may be persuaded to join us.

Anti-DEI Efforts and the Attempted Whitewashing of America — The Southern Poverty Law Center

Anti-DEI efforts | 2024 Year in Hate & Extremism
Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives became ground zero for hard-right mobilizations to whitewash American society and protect white supremacy.
Southern Poverty Law Center

7 ways American racism is 'alive and well' today. —Futurity

7 ways American racism is ‘alive and well’ today
Seven factors shape racism in the United States, say researchers. “Many people, especially white people, underestimate the depths of racism.”
FuturitySandra Feder-Stanford

A Map of Anti-DEI Efforts on College Campuses across the U.S. —EdTrust

A Map of Anti-DEI Efforts on College Campuses Across the U.S.
Threats to DEI are only growing stronger, with continued plans to introduce bills in the next legislative session, and attacks occurring on the accreditation front. Use our interactive dashboard to keep track of the evolving attacks on DEI across the states.
EdTrustSayda Martinez-Alvarado

Anti-DEI Efforts Are the Latest Attack on Racial Equity and Free Speech —ACLU

Anti-DEI Efforts Are the Latest Attack on Racial Equity and Free Speech | ACLU
The far right wants to get rid of DEI offices, end anti-bias training, and stop public statements of support for diversity. It’s the latest effort to dismantle systems designed to foster racial equity and progress.
American Civil Liberties UnionLeah Watson

Map: The impact of anti-DEI legislation — ABC News

Map: The impact of anti-DEI legislation
Across the country, conservative legislators have begun to target diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or DEI, in state agencies, schools and private companies.
ABC NewsABC News

How State Anti-DEI Efforts Are Evolving (from Public Sector to Private?) —Multistate.com

How State Anti-DEI Efforts Are Evolving (from Public Sector to Private?)
With the Trump Administration’s focus on eliminating DEI programs from the federal government, state lawmakers have renewed their own efforts at the state level. MultiState is tracking 78 bills in 23 states this legislative session related to anti-DEI efforts. These bills generally ensure that no state funds are spent on DEI programs and prohibit DEI use in state agencies, local governments, schools, higher education, public boards, and public health care systems. However, though elected officials have prioritized the repeal of DEI policies inside the public sector, they now are putting additional pressure on the private sector to conform to their preferences (via legislation and AG action).
MultiStateMultiState

My University is Named for Robert E. Lee. What Now? — Pasquale S. Toscano

Yes, Even George Washington — Charles M. Blow

The toxic masculinity behind Civil War monuments. — Laura Brodie in the Washington Post

"Ties between Confederate memorials and white supremacy have been documented in many of the speeches given at monument dedications. Most notorious were Julian Carr’s words at the 1913 raising of the University of North Carolina’s “Silent Sam” memorial, toppled by protesters in 2018."

The Robert E. Lee Problem — David Brooks

Arlington, Bobby Lee, and the 'Peculiar Institution' — Ta-Nehisi Coates

Arlington, Bobby Lee, and the ‘Peculiar Institution’
An examination of Robert E. Lee’s complicated position on the institution of slavery
The AtlanticTa-Nehisi Coates

What Do We Do With Robert E. Lee? — Abigale Covington

What Do We Do With Robert E. Lee? - The Delacorte Review
The General is buried at Washington and Lee University. For over a century that was never a problem. Then came Charlottesville.
The Delacorte Review - Real true stories (and how they happen)Abigail Covington

The Making and Breaking of the Legend of Robert E. Lee. — Eric Foner

Why My Alma Mater’s Brand Name, Washington and Lee, is Becoming Untenable. — Katherine Fraser for The Sage Leopard (Not Unmindful)

"A bit of background to illustrate that the name brand of Washington and Lee has been internally debated within the W&L community for years. Why? “W&L’s affiliation with its namesakes – particularly R.E. Lee – greatly limits the school’s ability to attract diverse students, faculty and staff”...

Robert E. Lee, American traitor. — Jeff Jacoby (paywalled)

Robert E. Lee, American traitor - The Boston Globe
In this week’s Arguable newsletter, Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby writes about Robert E. Lee, the Charles Dickens page, and Universal Basic Income.
The Boston GlobePrint this Article View Comments

Letting Go of Robert E. Lee at Washington and Lee University. — Toni Locy

Letting Go of Robert E. Lee at Washington and Lee University
It is going to get increasingly hard to persuade high school students who care about diversity to attend a university named after a Confederate general.
The NationToni Locy

At 63, I Threw Away My Prized Portrait of Robert E. Lee. — Stanley A. McChrystal

At 63, I Threw Away My Prized Portrait of Robert E. Lee
I was raised to venerate Lee the principled patriot—but I want no association with Lee the defender of slavery.
The AtlanticStanley A. McChrystal

Why Lee Should Go, and Washington Should Stay. — Jon Meacham

Robert E. Lee: His Brutality to His Slaves — Wesley Norris, edited by Parker Pillsbury

Robert E. Lee: His Brutality to His Slaves. In NATIONAL ANTI-SLAVERY STANDARD Vol. XXVI. No. 49 (April 14, 1866). Whole No. 1,349
Fair Use RepositoryWesley Norris

The Myth of the Kindly General Lee — Adam Serwer

The Myth of the Kindly General Lee
The legend of the Confederate leader’s heroism and decency is based in the fiction of a person who never existed.
The AtlanticAdam Serwer

Robert E. Lee was not the George Washington of his time. But a lot ties them together — Ann M. Simmons

Robert E. Lee was not the George Washington of his time. But a lot ties them together
If we tear down statues of Robert E. Lee, does that mean we should tear down statues of George Washington? We ask an expert.
Los Angeles TimesAnn M. Simmons