Having taught and lived at West Point for four years (more than three decades ago), I cannot recall the bas relief of the Klansman on the plaque affixed to Bartlett Hall. (I taught in a different academic building, and rarely had a reason to enter Bartlett.) This morning, I checked various news outlets for some background info, and they all parroted the same news feed. I suspect there is more to the story, and it might have something to do with historical context. Since the Force Acts were implemented during the first administration of President U.S. Grant (USMA 1843), and the final of the acts, called the Ku Klux Klan Act (1871), was enforced in part by the U.S. Army, this could be the reason for the inclusion of the Klansman--a domestic terrorist and enemy of the United States--on the plaque. I'm just guessing--maybe another reader out there will have some more information.
Great to hear from you. Hope you are doing well these days.
I would love to see more information re: the historical context of this particular asset. That's a very interesting suggestion that, if true, has completely been missed by the media.
“ USNS Maury is named after oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury, who resigned his commission in the U.S. Navy to join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the American Civil War. The USNS Maury is an asset of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, which I led from 2014 to 2017. I attended the ship’s commissioning in 2017, where I praised Maury’s recognition as the father of modern oceanography. I did the same on other occasions when I served as the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory, which Maury founded in 1842. Notwithstanding this association, I agree with others who condemn the naming of any military unit after someone who fought against our government to maintain a system that enslaved other human beings.
“The most appropriate individual after which to rename USNS Maury would be an American who made significant contributions to Naval oceanography — and reflected the diversity of our population. There is no better candidate with these qualifications than the American immigrant oceanographer Walter Munk. I first met Munk when I was a young Ensign in the Navy while earning a master’s degree at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where he was a professor and research scientist. This was over 30 years ago, long into his career that spanned nearly eight decades. Since then, I continued my path in ocean science and technology that carried me to many sea-going expeditions, brought me back to Scripps to earn a Ph.D., and led me to serve as the acting head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At every step, Munk inspired me, along with many others.” https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3621372-replace-navy-ships-confederate-name-with-that-of-an-immigrant-oceanographer/
Thanks, especially for the "memory vs. history" comment, which, for me makes it crystal clear how these monuments should be treated. Don't know if you've seen the well-done documentary The Neutral Ground, about the struggle to remove the 4 monuments in NoLa. Worthwhile viewing.
The commission is approaching the matter in a convincing way. It rests on the simple argument that those engaged in violence against the United States do not deserve recognition as heroic figures. This includes every man who wore Confederate gray, including my own ancestors. We can study them as historical actors in the context of their lived experiences and even appreciate their remarkable skill as soldiers. However, we can never bestow on them the same honors owed to those who faithfully served this country.
Good news. Removing the KKK material ASAP seems a particularly good idea.
Having taught and lived at West Point for four years (more than three decades ago), I cannot recall the bas relief of the Klansman on the plaque affixed to Bartlett Hall. (I taught in a different academic building, and rarely had a reason to enter Bartlett.) This morning, I checked various news outlets for some background info, and they all parroted the same news feed. I suspect there is more to the story, and it might have something to do with historical context. Since the Force Acts were implemented during the first administration of President U.S. Grant (USMA 1843), and the final of the acts, called the Ku Klux Klan Act (1871), was enforced in part by the U.S. Army, this could be the reason for the inclusion of the Klansman--a domestic terrorist and enemy of the United States--on the plaque. I'm just guessing--maybe another reader out there will have some more information.
Hi Mark,
Great to hear from you. Hope you are doing well these days.
I would love to see more information re: the historical context of this particular asset. That's a very interesting suggestion that, if true, has completely been missed by the media.
“ USNS Maury is named after oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury, who resigned his commission in the U.S. Navy to join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the American Civil War. The USNS Maury is an asset of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, which I led from 2014 to 2017. I attended the ship’s commissioning in 2017, where I praised Maury’s recognition as the father of modern oceanography. I did the same on other occasions when I served as the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory, which Maury founded in 1842. Notwithstanding this association, I agree with others who condemn the naming of any military unit after someone who fought against our government to maintain a system that enslaved other human beings.
“The most appropriate individual after which to rename USNS Maury would be an American who made significant contributions to Naval oceanography — and reflected the diversity of our population. There is no better candidate with these qualifications than the American immigrant oceanographer Walter Munk. I first met Munk when I was a young Ensign in the Navy while earning a master’s degree at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where he was a professor and research scientist. This was over 30 years ago, long into his career that spanned nearly eight decades. Since then, I continued my path in ocean science and technology that carried me to many sea-going expeditions, brought me back to Scripps to earn a Ph.D., and led me to serve as the acting head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At every step, Munk inspired me, along with many others.” https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/3621372-replace-navy-ships-confederate-name-with-that-of-an-immigrant-oceanographer/
Thank you for this. The message needs to reach a lot more people.
Can anyone identify the people in the photo with the Lee painting?
Robert E. Lee's great grandson, Hanson E. Ely III is standing at far right. He is the only one I can identify.
Thanks, especially for the "memory vs. history" comment, which, for me makes it crystal clear how these monuments should be treated. Don't know if you've seen the well-done documentary The Neutral Ground, about the struggle to remove the 4 monuments in NoLa. Worthwhile viewing.
I have seen it and I agree that is well worth viewing.
The commission is approaching the matter in a convincing way. It rests on the simple argument that those engaged in violence against the United States do not deserve recognition as heroic figures. This includes every man who wore Confederate gray, including my own ancestors. We can study them as historical actors in the context of their lived experiences and even appreciate their remarkable skill as soldiers. However, we can never bestow on them the same honors owed to those who faithfully served this country.
Lee was a distinguished member of the Army in so many ways but when he crossed the rubicon in 1861 he forfeited all goodwill.
Once again, thanks for sharing.