As a native Virginian I consider the capitol of Richmond my cultural Mecca. The monuments of confederate generals who were sons of Virginia and brave soldiers, both of the American and confederate army, deserve to remain in place untouched and unaltered in any way. These men were fighting for the autonomy of their beliefs from an oppressive federal government. The issue of slavery weighed heavy on these men’s conscious, as seen in particular by Stonewall Jackson and Robert E Lee, but did not define their reason for defending Virginia. In a politically correct era that does not value history unless it can be summarized into a single discussion point, Virginians still remember who these men were and what they believed in. Leave our history but add more! Highlight history of all Virginians, men and women of all colors and creeds.