Virginia Candidate John Reid Defends Confederate Leaders
John Reid, a candidate for Virginia’s lieutenant governor, recently stirred controversy by expressing admiration for Confederate generals and likening their critics to the Taliban.
During an appearance on the Conservative & Chic podcast on October 28, Reid criticized efforts to remove Confederate monuments from public areas.
“Much of the Civil War was fought here [in Virginia],” Reid remarked. “A lot of the people who are well-known characters—who’ve been dead for 160 years—lived and worked, and, in some cases, were born and raised in Virginia. Legendary names like Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson, and Matthew Fontaine Maury. It’s a remarkable group of people!”
Reid highlighted events that followed the 2020 George Floyd protests, noting the vandalism and removal of several Confederate monuments. While acknowledging that it is acceptable to view Confederates critically in today’s context, he condemned the removals as “Talibanesque” and described the actions as those of “barbarians.”
The sentiments expressed by Reid resonate with themes from the Lost Cause myth, which portrays the Confederacy as heroic and noble, arguing that the Civil War was not primarily about slavery. Although some groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, promote this narrative, it is largely discredited by historians.
Reid emphasized his disinterest in revisiting the Civil War or debating historical rights and wrongs. “I’m not interested in refighting the Civil War,” he stated.
Robert E. Lee, known as the leading commander of the Confederate Army, and Stonewall Jackson, a general under Lee, are noted historical figures discussed by Reid. Both practiced enslaving people and were known for implementing harsh military strategies, including the destruction of property and civilian casualties. Lee was particularly noted for enforcing the enslavement of free Black individuals.
Matthew Fontaine Maury, who commanded the Confederate Navy in Virginia, did not personally enslave people but was an advocate for the expansion of slavery.
Following the war, Jackson passed away, whereas Lee and Maury continued to publicly oppose racial equality.
Reid, previously known as a radio talk show host, is competing against Democratic candidate State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi in the upcoming election, which will take place on November 4.
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