Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause
Channel: New America
Date: 2021-01-28

Race, history, and the military have been topics in the news as Congress debates renaming military bases named after Confederate generals. In his new book Robert E Lee and Me, former soldier, former head of the West Point history department, and current New America International Security Program fellow Ty Seidule challenges the myths and lies of the Confederate legacy exploring why some of this country’s oldest wounds have never healed. Ty Seidule grew up revering Robert E. Lee. From his southern childhood to his service in the U.S. Army, every part of his life reinforced the Lost Cause myth: that Lee was the greatest man who ever lived, and that the Confederates were underdogs who lost the Civil War with honor. Now, as a retired brigadier general and Professor Emeritus of History at West Point, his view has radically changed. In a unique blend of history and reflection, Seidule deconstructs the truth about the Confederacy—that its undisputed primary goal was the subjugation and enslavement of Black Americans—and directly challenges the idea of honoring those who labored to preserve that system and committed treason in their failed attempt to achieve it.

Join New America's International Security Program as they welcome Ty Seidule and Isaiah Wilson for a discussion of these issues.

Join the conversation online using #RELeeandMe and following @NewAmericaISP.

Participant:

Ty Seidule, PhD
Author, Robert E. Lee and Me: Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause
Fellow, New America International Security Program

Moderator:

Isaiah Wilson III, PhD
President, Joint Special Operations University
Fellow, New America International Security Program

https://www.newamerica.org/international-security/events/robert-e-lee-and-me/

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