Why the Celebration?

David Person’s position on the celebration of the Civil War is apparent in his editorial posted on USA Today’s website titled "Should we 'celebrate' the Civil War?". He is a black columnist living in Huntsville, Alabama and the anniversary of the historic event is significant by a different standard to him than some residents is the South. A line between celebration and commemoration has been drawn by supporters of the Confederacy and groups comprised primarily of African Americans. Person is apparently perturbed by the fact that many people find cause to celebrate from tragic and painful memories. He points out that one of our nation’s most bloody wars should be remembered, not glorified. In December, the NAACP actively protested a Secession Ball hosted by the Sons of Confederacy.

Person was a writer for the Huntsville Times for nearly 13 years and his works have earned him accolades from the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Associated Press. He currently writes for USA Today and is also a radio talk show host.

I have construed this commentary as an attempt to educate the public and suppress the actions of individuals believed by Person to be immoral and ignorant. His argument makes sense and the evidence behind it seems to personal eyewitness accounts backed by records of organized celebrations.

I support Person’s claim that the Civil War should be commemorated and not celebrated. I find it ironic that organizations such as the Sons of Confederacy would celebrate a war in which they’ve lost. It should not be forgotten that there were many casualties resulting from the conflict and that the main cause of the war was slavery. All over the world people celebrate for many reasons, but those reasons should be because of a positive outcome from a situation or a moment we would want to relive.