What Price Our Family Name?
By: Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.

What does your family's name mean to you?

Robert E. Lee had strong feelings about his family name. After the
War Between the States Lee was offered $50,000 for the use of his
name. His reply was: "Sirs, my name is the heritage of my parents.
It is all I have and it is not for sale."

If we still believe in the good name of our family, why do we allow people
to change the names of streets, schools and parks named after
our family? Those men and women who fought for this nation are
are our American family and their good names are under relentless attack.

In Memphis, Tennessee there are some who wish to change the
name of General Forrest Park. School Boards have changed schools
named for George Washington, Jefferson Davis and others. There
have also been attempts to rewrite the history of "The Alamo" and
cast a shadow over the heroism of Davy Crocket and Jim Bowie.

Are you angry yet?

Some people would erase our national heritage, but others now
stand up and say "NO MORE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS!"

The United Daughters of the Confederacy, an old-respected women's
organization, have for over 100 years done outstanding work in
historical preservation, patriotism and education. They were among
the first ladies' groups to offer their services to the United States
government war relief efforts during World War I and II. They have
helped organizations like the American Red Cross.

This is the same "Band of Sisters" who, in the 1930s, helped many
colleges with scholarship programs including Peabody College.
The UDC helped the George Peabody College for Teachers build a new
dormitory with the price tag of $150,000. For you history scholars,
I would like to point out that this dormitory was built at a
time when America was going through a devastating "Depression."
This huge sum would be comparable to several million today.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy donated the generous
 sum of $50,000 toward the school's dormitory.

Today, Peabody College is Vanderbilt University. The school resides in the
same city---Nashville---which gave us the world famous "Grand Ole Opry."

The depression years of the 1930s saw banks close and war in Europe.
Millions were out of work. Money was scarce. Yet the United Daughters
of the Confederacy found a way to help the school with a huge donation.

In appreciation for their efforts, the new dormitory was named "Confederate
Memorial Hall." Plaques were placed in the hall to honor Confederate
soldiers and the United Daughters of the Confederacy by the college.

Sadly, for the past several years there was an attempt to change the
name of the dormitory because some people think the word
"Confederate" is offensive. I had heard the word "diversity" used
in the language of the College. I believe that "diversity" means
all peoples and ideas. Am I wrong?

This is Political Correctness at the extreme. I worry about people
who speak of tolerance when they mean tolerance for some but
not for others. Whatever happened to old fashioned "Equal
Opportunity" for everyone? I suppose that has changed, too!

The media has reported that the university and United Daughters of
the Confederacy have been in court over Vanderbilt's desire to remove
the name "Confederate Memorial Hall" from the building.

The good news is the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled that Vanderbilt
must leave the name "Confederate Memorial Hall" chiseled in stone on the
dormitory. Vanderbilt University did not appeal the May 4, 2005 ruling.

The bad news is there are people who continue erase America's
History and Heritage. It is time to stand up with the United
Daughters of the Confederacy and say, "No More."

At what price our American heritage and family name?

Have a Dixie Day!