MLK, Robert E. Lee Shared Holiday Upsets Some Mississippi Residents

Reported by: Marcus Holliday

Email: mholliday@abc24.com

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Published: 1/17/2012 6:48 pm

Updated: 1/17/2012 11:51 pm

SOUTHAVEN, MS (anc24.com) - Parents in Desoto County were outraged to learn that Mississippi schools honor Robert E. Lee day on the same day as MLK day. That's because in Mississippi, Robert E. Lee Day is a state holiday.

Woody Jordan, who has a daughter that attends Hope Sullivan Elementary in Southaven, told abc24.com, "If this is a Mississippi hero then they need to make plans to move all blacks out of Mississippi or they need to amend their ways."

"The difference between King and Lee is like night and day," Jordan added. "When I think of Lee, his name is synonymous with slavery, rape, brutality, murder, Ku Klux Klan, Jim Crow, black codes."

Angela Musgrove told abc24.com she's not against a Lee Holiday, but she said, "I don't think they should do it on the same day; it's not right."

Robert E. Lee day is also a state holiday in Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia.

MLK, Southaven

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Golden Taint - 1/19/2012 9:11 AM

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@ NBFfan, and all you other Lee supporters, You know who else was a VERY impressive man and military leader? A man who shared and exceeded Lee's best attributes. . . Adolf Hitler. Maybe Mississippi should start calling Feb. Adolf Hitler month. It's fine to respect General Lee as an important figure from our past, but don't try to pretend that this is motivated by anything other than ignorance and racism. I think that Cindy07's post sums that up nicely.

JeffersonTao - 1/19/2012 4:48 AM

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Leave it to Mississippi, the most notorious of all racist havens, to celebrate the father of ignorance and oppression instead of a hero of freedom, Dr King. Robert E. Lee is a traitor and a wart on the face of United States history.

cindy07 - 1/18/2012 4:29 PM

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General Lee was born Jan. 19, 1807; Dr. King was born Jan. 15, 1929.

NBFfan - 1/18/2012 11:24 AM

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I don't think anyone has the power to change when Robert E. Lee's birthday is. It is ironic that King and Lee share a birthday. Robert E. Lee is very wortthy of celebration and admiration. His tactics on the battlefield were copied by nearly every general in every war since the War of Northern Aggression. Lee's character is something that ALL people should try to imitate. By disparaging a true gentleman and a Son of the South, you not only display your igorance but your narrow mindedness.

MeMeMemphis - 1/18/2012 10:44 AM

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Tell me why some people look for something to call racism when it is history of our country. I don't have a problem with MLK Day. It's history just like Robert E. Lee Day. Get over it. I do not see any slavey today. Look forward not backwards!!!!!!!

cindy07 - 1/18/2012 9:36 AM

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It's a Southern thing to honor Gen. Lee, and I guess he has his place in history, but he is not ny hero. Respecting tradition, fine, honor Gen. Lee on a separate holiday or honor him on Veteran's Day along with the other Veterans being recognized and call out his name on that day!! It is gross insensitivity to attempt to honor Dr. King and Gen. Lee on the very same day, and those who are trying to justify it know it!!

Hamilton Co 31 - 1/18/2012 9:03 AM

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YOU GOT THAT RIGHT, IT'S MORE AND MORE CRIME EVERYTIME YOU TURN AROUND. IT CAN'T BLAME GENERAL LEE OR MR.KING BECAUSE OF THESE PEOPLE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY !!!!

caballro - 1/18/2012 8:41 AM

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Thought the Democrats started the KKK. We already give up the month of February for Black History month. Amazing that everyone has thier own thoughts on MLK, but none follow what he said.

no1hd - 1/18/2012 5:47 AM

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They know all they need to know, Lee was white..I'm thinking Robert E Lee was around a long time before their hero..

Frayserboi - 1/18/2012 12:12 AM

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That boy, Jordan, needs to go back to school & get educated about Robert E. Lee.........

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