South Shore Phil Anderson

Ruminations on Southern ‘heritage’

“The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it” Mark Twain,The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Long overdue progress is finally being made on removing a number of the racist symbols and monuments across the country. The public outrage over the latest excessive use of force by police, and the resulting demonstrations, have brought renewed focus to the issue of racist, demeaning sports team mascots, and the SOUTH SHORE wide-spread monuments RUMINATIONS to Confederate Civil War “heroes” and slave owners. Needless PHIL ANDERSON to say the racists, white supremacists, and far-right radicals are upset that their “heritage” is being destroyed and history is being rewritten to eliminate their heroes.

The current occupant has joined the choir claiming that “angry mobs” directed by radical leftists are “trying to tear down statues of our Founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities.”

But it is not unreasonable, or radical, to suggest that slave owners – who fought a war of rebellion against the United States to preserve slavery – might not be the “heroes” who should be honored in our town squares or on the court house lawn.

Many concerned citizens – white, black, liberal, and conservative – understand that theses symbols are rooted in the racism that divides our people and mocks our founding ideals. They are simply demanding that we finally, publicly renounce the racism that has permeated our laws, justice system, and social relationships throughout our history.

In a 2019 report the Southern Poverty Law Center noted that 100 monuments and other symbols of the Confederacy have recently been removed.

But there are still 1,747 Confederate monuments, place names, and other symbols still in public spaces cross the nation. They include: • 780 monuments and statues • 103 public K-12 schools and three colleges named for Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis or other Confederate icons • 80 counties and cities named for Confederates • 9 observed state holidays in five states • 10 U.S. military bases named for Confederate generals.

These do not include monuments in actual historic sites, cemeteries, or museums with legitimate historic purpose.

Critics may say removing these symbols is “erasing history.” But the argument that the Confederate flag and statues represent Southern heritage, and not hate, ignores the real history. These symbols were created to bolster white supremacist pride, re-write southern history, justify seven decades of Jim Crow, and support the denial of civil rights to Black Americans.

This is proven by the historical fact that the overwhelming majority of these Confederate memorials were erected during the 20 th century.

This was during the peak of the Jim Crow era with its widespread terrorism and lynchings. They were not built just to commemorate fallen soldiers but as symbols of white supremacy during periods of U.S. history when Black Americans’ civil rights were most aggressively under attack.

The report by the Southern Poverty Law Center shows the big spike in establishing Confederate memorials came during the early 1900s. This was when Southern states enacted a number of sweeping laws to disenfranchise Black Americans and seg

regate society. It was an organized strategy to reshape Civil War history and justify segregation.

Jane Dailey, professor of American history at the University of Chicago, points out that 1920-40 was the largest period of monument construction.

It was also a time of Black activism for civil rights and pushing back against widespread lynchings in the South.

She says, “You have Black soldiers who have just fought for their country [in World War I] and fought to make the world safe for democracy, coming back to an America that’s determined to lynch them...Those were very clearly white supremacist monuments and are designed to intimidate, not just memorialize.”

Further proof is that re-naming of schools happened after the 1954 Brown vs the Board of Education Supreme Court decision that desegregated public schools.

From 1954 to 1970, at least 45 colleges and schools were re-named after Confederate soldiers and generals. This time period also saw an explosion “white flight” from public schools with the creation of segregated private and religious schools.

These actions were not about celebrating Southern heritage. These changes were meant to promote white supremacy and further segregation even though it had been declared illegal.

The question is who’s heritage is being remembered. It is certainly NOT the history of the mistreatment of Blacks.

Lecia Brooks of the Southern Poverty Law Center asks, “Who have we left out of history? What history aren’t we telling through the veneration of Confederate leaders?”

History is not being “erased.” It is being taught more fully and more accurately.

We will know who Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and other Confederate leaders were and what they did.

But we also know about the many people who died and suffered for white prosperity and their “way of life.”

The far more dangerous threat to history is ignoring what actually happened to Blacks, indigenous peoples, immigrants, women and other marginalized people.

Karen Armstrong is a British author who writes about the roll of religion in modern society. In her book Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, she says,

“We can either emphasize those aspects of our traditions, religious or secular, that speak of hatred, exclusion, and suspicion or work with those that stress the interdependence and equality of all human beings. The choice is yours.”

Professor Annette Gordon-Reed who teaches American History and Legal History at Harvard Law School says, “The United States was far from perfect, but the values of the Confederacy, open and unrepentant white supremacy and total disregard for the humanity of black people, to the extent they still exist, have produced tragedy and discord. There is no path to a peaceful and prosperous country without challenging and rejecting that as a basis for our society.”

We all have a patriotic duty to reject the racism ingrained in our society. We must end the traditions that foster hate, division, and exclusion. It is time to take down the symbols of racism.

Edith Stapleton 9/25/1915 – 6/4/2020

Edith (Gustafson) Stapleton, 104, died peacefully after a life well lived. Edith was born to humble beginnings on a farm in Clover Valley, Minn., in 1915. She was the youngest of five children whose birth was in a log house, to loving Swedish immigrant parents. Edith was educated in a oneroom grade school in Clover Valley and graduated from Clover Valley High School at the top of her class in 1933 as one of 15 students. Throughout her life, Edith passed down stories of her early childhood, always including the one of her riding on their horse all day long while her father walked behind plowing the fields. She was chosen because she was the smallest in the family. After high school she moved to Duluth and worked for various families as a cook and nanny. While living in Duluth she met her husband of 50 years, Gene Stapleton, whom she married in 1941. They had two children Marty and Maureen. Edith was an industrious person so, as she raised her family, she had several jobs, retiring as attendance secretary at Cathedral High School (now Marshall High School). Following her retirement she and Gene moved to Sarasota, FL but continued to spend their summers in Duluth. She will be dearly missed by her family and by those who knew her.

Richard Harris Northey 6/2/1929 – 7/9/2020

Richard Harris Northey died peacefully at the age of 91. Dick was born to Berenice and Roy Northey in Virginia, Minnesota. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947. He attended Michigan State University on a hockey scholarship from 1949-1953, being named captain his senior year. Dick served as a lieutenant in the army during the Korean conflict. He married the love of his life, Lois, in 1954, and they raised three daughters. Dick worked as a math teacher in Redwood Falls before coming to Duluth and teaching math at Denfeld for 35 years from 1956-1991. He also proudly coached the Denfeld Hunters hockey team for 15 years and served as President of the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association. Summers were spent cutting grass at Enger Park golf course, taking annual family vacations in the station wagon, and eventually working as a U.S. Customs inspector in Duluth and on the Canadian border. Dick spent as much time as possible attending sporting events of his grandchildren. He taught all his children and grandchildren how to skate! Dick grew up playing hockey on the Iron Range and helped pave the way for many more. By invitation, a memorial service will be held at the Cremation Society in Duluth followed by a private interment with military honors.

Diep Van Vu 7/27/1952 – 7/17/2020

Diep Van Vu, 67, of Proctor, died at home with his family by his side. He was born in Saigon to Qui Van Vu and Tu Thi Nguyen. Diep left Vietnam for America on one of the last flights out before the fall of Saigon. He was a member of the South Vietnamese Air Force. Diep married Laura Lundquist on June 24, 1978, in Duluth. He retired from Delta Airlines as an aircraft mechanic. He enjoyed cooking, eating, golfing, shopping, traveling and time spent with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ket Van Vu, and Ut Van Vu, and a sister Thanh Kim Vu. He is survived by his wife Laura, son Tuan Anh Vu, daughters Diep (Hai Dao) Tran, Amy Kim Vu, and Michele Kim (Tim) Manns, grandchildren Hai Jr. and Kaylee Dao, Taye and Tairell Manns, siblings Loan Kim Vu, Hoang Van Vu, Lien Kim Vu, Nhan Kim Vu, and Thu Kim Vu, many nieces and nephews including Tram (Adam) Larson, and Duc Tran, and cousins, and friends. Visitation will be held July 23, from 5-7 pm in Williams-LobermeierBoettcher Funeral Home, Duluth. Visitation continues on Friday, July 24, from 10 am until the 11 am funeral service in the funeral home. Burial will be in Oneota Cemetery.

Margie A. Bleskan 11/4/1945 – 7/14/2020

Margie A. Bleskan, 74, of Superior, died at Solvay Hospice House, Duluth. She was born in Superior, daughter of Alvin and Genevieve (Lazarski) Swanson. Margie Swanson and James Bleskan were united in marriage on May 10, 1969. After many years in Superior, then Duluth, Margie retired as a manager for Beneficial Finance. She was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King, the church choir and was a sacristy volunteer. Some of Margie’s interests included making stained glass, shooting pistols and gardening. A private service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Blueberry. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Cathedral School, Superior.

Richard “Rick” Cich 9/17/1967 – 7/8/2020

Rick Cich, 52, of Duluth, died surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with cancer. Revered for his work ethic, Rick was a great provider who loved his family and the outdoors. He will be greatly missed. Special thanks to the hospice staff at Essentia for their care and support. A private service and burial will be held for family and close friends. A celebration of life service will take place at a future date. Memorials may be sent to 5193 Lavaque Rd., Duluth, MN, 55803.

John Grassinger 9/17/1932 – July/13/2020

John Grassinger,87, of Duluth, died with his family by his side, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was born in Duluth, to Albert and Mary. John was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a graduate of Denfeld High School. He worked for the 148th Fighter Wing – Minnesota Air National Guard for 38½ years, where he was known as “The Penguin.” He enjoyed talking with new people, wood working, fishing, and most importantly spending time with his family and friends. Memorials can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church. Private family services will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555.

James Clifford Reinkall 11/12/1943 – 7/15/2020

James Clifford Reinkall, 76, of Superior, died unexpectedly at home. He was born in Superior, the son of Charles and Beverly (Bartley) Reinkall. James honorably served in the National Guard and was a longtime coach of the South End Dukes. He was employed by Twin Ports Grocery, Gateway Foods and Fleming Foods, retiring after 30 years of service. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. Services were held July 20 at Downs Funeral Home and Greenwood Cemetery, Superior. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Douglas County, 138 Moccasin Mike Road, Superior, WI 54880.

Robert M. White 8/24/1935 – 7/11/2020

Robert M. White, 84, of Duluth, died at home with loved ones at his bedside. He was born in Cloquet, Minn., to Alfred and Edna White. He graduated from Cloquet High School in 1954, was a lifelong resident of Cloquet and Duluth, and served in the Minnesota National Guard for nine years, as a deacon at the Duluth and Moose Lake Seventh Day Adventist Churches, and as a volunteer minister at the federal prison for 21 years. He will be sadly missed by all those knew this kind and humble man. There will be no memorial service now, but we plan to hold a celebration of life event later.