Monday letters: What makes Tillman worthy?

Will we continue to “compromise” on racial issues? When the Confederate flag was taken from the top of the State House, through compromise, it was given a place of “honor” at the Confederate Soldier Monument.

When the state agreed to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday as a state holiday, through compromise, the bill also included honoring the Confederate Memorial Day holiday.

Now, with the battle flag down, is there an unspoken compromise to keep the statue of Ben “Pitchfork” Tillman on the State House grounds? The statue was in view as the battle flag was being taken down. The racist Tillman was a one-term governor, so how does he deserve the honor of a monument on State House grounds? Would anyone proclaim his beliefs as a part of their heritage?

There is no reason to have buildings honoring him at Clemson and Winthrop, where some of the best African-American scholars and athletes have crossed the portals.

It’s difficult to understand why we should compromise obvious wrongs.

Columbia