The Conversation U.S.Jun 6, 2023

Two Southerners serving in the U.S. Army in 1861 made different choices when the Civil War began.

Robert E. Lee has been looked on as a source of pride by White Southerners.

But perhaps, according to historian Christopher Einolf, a better source of pride today would be Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas โ€“ another Virginian, who honored his oath to defend the Constitution.

https://theconversation.com/us-army-maj-gen-george-h-thomas-journey-from-enslaver-to-union-officer-to-civil-rights-defender-205950

#History #BlackHistory #Histodons @histodons

US Army Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas' journey from enslaver to Union officer to civil rights defender

A Southerner, Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas was a racist enslaver before the Civil War. But he fought for the Union because he prioritized his oath to defend the Constitution over state interests.

The Conversation
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@TheConversationUS @histodons george thomas was a slave owner just like lee why not cancel him too
Show threadThe Conversation U.S.Jun 7, 2023
@ekknappenberger @histodons Because, as the article points out, he actually changed his ways
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@TheConversationUS @histodons not clear if he did or not -- in fact he used slave labor during the civil war even, it would seem. from wikipedia:
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@TheConversationUS @histodons oops here is the wiki
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@TheConversationUS @histodons im not arguing to cancel george thomas. i am arguing against cancellation in general. as a historian, what is needed is more context and deeper understanding, less ideological reaction
Jun 7, 2023 at 1:07pmWeb
Show threadCoach Pฤแน‡ini ยฎJun 7, 2023
@ekknappenberger @TheConversationUS @histodons This George Thomas? He would scare the hell out of Lost Causers, MAGA Republicans, and anyone near the Capitol on Jan 6th. And for that reason alone, I donโ€™t cancel him.
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@paninid @TheConversationUS @histodons this is exactly why it is important to add more context ... i think there are also certain confederates who would have gladly come down hard on the seditious of 2021, but that's an ahistorical observation