As Alabama once again observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Robert E. Lee Day on the same date, we are confronted with an uncomfortable truth: our state remains tethered to a tradition that dishonors the progress we claim to celebrate. The time has come for Alabama to end Robert E. Lee Day.
For decades, this shared observance has perpetuated a harmful false equivalence. On one hand, we celebrate Dr. King, a champion of justice, equality, and nonviolence, whose legacy continues to inspire the fight for civil rights. On the other hand, we honor Robert E. Lee, a man who betrayed the United States to lead a rebellion in defense of slavery. These two figures are not merely historical opposites; they represent profoundly conflicting visions of America—one of inclusion and equality, the other of division and subjugation.
To those who argue that Robert E. Lee Day celebrates Southern heritage, we must ask: whose heritage? For millions of Alabamians, Lee’s Confederacy was a symbol of oppression and violence, not honor or valor. The legacy of the Confederacy cannot be disentangled from its purpose—to preserve a system that denied basic humanity to Black people. Even Robert E. Lee himself, in a letter to his wife, described slavery as a “moral and political evil.” Yet he chose to defend it, prioritizing allegiance to a racist system over his oath to the United States.
Some may point to Lee’s post-war efforts to encourage reconciliation as justification for his commemoration. But honoring his name in a state holiday does not foster reconciliation—it deepens wounds. For many, seeing Lee celebrated alongside Dr. King is a reminder that Alabama has yet to fully confront its history or embrace the ideals King championed.
Our state has made strides toward progress, but this shared holiday undermines those efforts. It sends a message to the rest of the nation—and to future generations—that Alabama is unwilling to let go of a divisive past. This is not the message we want to convey as we work to build a state that values justice, equality, and unity.
Ending Robert E. Lee Day would not erase history; it would place it in its proper context. We can and should teach about Lee in schools and museums, where his actions and legacy can be critically examined. But a state holiday is an honor, not a history lesson. It reflects the values we choose to elevate.
Alabama has the opportunity to lead by example, to show that it is capable of growth and change. Other states have already moved away from Confederate celebrations. Virginia, once home to Lee himself, abolished Lee-Jackson Day in 2020. Alabama can do the same, without diminishing its rich history or cultural heritage.
By separating Robert E. Lee Day from Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor King’s vision for an America where equality and justice prevail. We signal to the world that Alabama is ready to move forward, leaving behind a past that clings to the ghosts of division.
It is time for Alabama to take this step toward progress. Let us honor Martin Luther King Jr. on his own day, as he deserves. And let us finally put Robert E. Lee Day where it belongs: in the history books.