Many of you know that I volunteer as a docent at the National Park Service's Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial to share the narrative of the enslaved community which includes some of my own ancestors. Last Sunday, I probably interacted with 250-300 visitors during my volunteer hours. Well yesterday, I received this wonderful message that I wanted to share with you all.
Thank you for taking time to talk to my wife and me, last Sunday. You made us both think. I liked that your plan to change the focus of the message of Arlington House and its exhibits are meant to bring people together. My wife and I are both immigrants, so we look at American history and the American society as outsiders, and we despair at the divisiveness of the present times. I feel it is possible to face even painful chapters of a nation’s history if you approach it with respect, with a willingness to confront horrible subjects, a sad recognition that few people are capable of breaking free from the norms of the time in which they lived, and with love for all. When I listened to you and when I read your write-up for your petition, that’s how I sensed your approach to be. The healing does not start until the full story is told.
WOW! Powerful words. The effort of Arlington House descendants continues as we work to get Congress to redesignate the Lee Memorial as Arlington House National Historic Site, a more inclusive site.
As of this morning, the House Bill H.J. Res. 76 has 84 cosponsors.
The numbers of cosponsors is growing steadily. Growing too is the number of supporters of our online petition. We now have more than 3,200 signatures helping us on our way to a modest 5,000. If you have signed the petition THANK YOU!
If you haven't signed yet, come on! WHAT'S STOPPING YOU? We really need the help of very one of you. Help us garner more support. Please ask folks in your network to help amplify our voices for Congress to hear. Anyone 18 years of age or older can add their name.
Our petition mapping tool now shows petition signers in every state and more than 2,100 zip codes across the Unites States.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4a6e43f106744a0e93032392f3d7efa8