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Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News Gazette: Why is it not surprising that the venerable Lexington institution W&L under the “leadership” of President Dudley would take their disdain for Robert E. Lee and his contributions to W&L from the sublime to the ridiculous.
It is bad enough that they have engaged in a concerted effort to eliminate any and all vestiges, associations and achievements of Robert E. Lee with respect to W&L, but now they are going after his horse Traveller!
They have changed Lee Chapel to “University Chapel,” removed all historical plaques that were on display there for decades, are constructing a wall to obscure the Recumbent Lee statue, cancelled tours and visits to Lee’s office and the crypt where Lee lies in rest with his family, including his father, famed Revolutionary War hero “Lighthorse-Harry” Lee. They have cancelled Founders Day and made attempts to restrict constitutional rights of free speech and assembly within the chapel that Lee raised funds for its construction and worshiped there regularly.
Noted sociologist Max Weber once declared, “Wherever the academic introduces his own value judgment, there complete understanding of the facts ceases.”
These past, current and future actions by W&L are not only detrimental to their institution and reputation, but also to the Lexington community as a whole. GLENN MON Lexington
