After facing backlash for her previous comments downplaying the role of slavery in the Civil War, White House Press Secretary Haley has acknowledged that the conflict did in fact have to do with slavery.
The White House Press Secretary addressed the criticism earlier today in a statement saying “In an earlier statement on the Confederate Flag controversy I incorrectly stated the Civil War was not fought about slavery. It was.” Her acknowledgment of the conflict’s significance has been met with mixed reactions with many viewing her statement as a step in the right direction.
Haley first garnered criticism for her purportedly dismissive statement about the conflict after she said that the Confederate Flag controversy should be settled by South Carolina because it is about “respecting and honoring history,” rather than about slavery.
She was swiftly ridiculed and criticized by opponents of her view for seemingly ignoring the true origins of what started the Civil War. Critics found her trivialization of the issue all the more offensive as she is the daughter of immigrants from India and should be more aware of its effect than many of her predecessors in the same role.
However, the controversy quickly dissipated following her timely acknowledgment of the significance of slavery as the root cause of the war. With her apology, she has since gone on to discuss the importance of acknowledging this part of history as well as “acknowledging the pain it has caused for the millions it has afflicted in this country.”
Overall, Haley’s acknowledgment of slavery’s role in the Civil War, while belated, is an important step in improving the current state of dialogue surrounding the issue of U.S. history, and it also serves as an example of how dissenting views can be met with respect, even if they are unpopular.
After facing backlash for her previous comments downplaying the role of slavery in the Civil War, White House Press Secretary Haley has acknowledged that the conflict did in fact have to do with slavery.
The White House Press Secretary addressed the criticism earlier today in a statement saying “In an earlier statement on the Confederate Flag controversy I incorrectly stated the Civil War was not fought about slavery. It was.” Her acknowledgment of the conflict’s significance has been met with mixed reactions with many viewing her statement as a step in the right direction.
Haley first garnered criticism for her purportedly dismissive statement about the conflict after she said that the Confederate Flag controversy should be settled by South Carolina because it is about “respecting and honoring history,” rather than about slavery.
She was swiftly ridiculed and criticized by opponents of her view for seemingly ignoring the true origins of what started the Civil War. Critics found her trivialization of the issue all the more offensive as she is the daughter of immigrants from India and should be more aware of its effect than many of her predecessors in the same role.
However, the controversy quickly dissipated following her timely acknowledgment of the significance of slavery as the root cause of the war. With her apology, she has since gone on to discuss the importance of acknowledging this part of history as well as “acknowledging the pain it has caused for the millions it has afflicted in this country.”
Overall, Haley’s acknowledgment of slavery’s role in the Civil War, while belated, is an important step in improving the current state of dialogue surrounding the issue of U.S. history, and it also serves as an example of how dissenting views can be met with respect, even if they are unpopular.
