We fell under the leadership of those who would compromise with truth in the past in order to make peace in the present and guide policy in the future.
-W. E. B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction, 1935.

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The DIG "Monuments of Folly" lecture Series explores how the historical use of Confederate symbols and Confederate celebrations by neo-Confederate organizations since the end of the Civil War are used to regenerate racism in succeeding generations of  Americans that lead to continued regressions from progress in the attainment of a racially just society. The lectures examine why African-American leaders from Frederick Douglass to W.E.B. DuBois failed in their battles against the neo-confederates "propaganda of history" of yesterday and why our leaders are failing in this battle today. The lectures will expose how national celebrations of the Confederacy's "Lost Cause" for the "redemption" of white supremacy unifies contemporary neo-confederate organizations such as: the Sons of Confederate Veterans(SCV); the United Daughters of the Confederacy(UDC); the League of the South; the Southern Party; the Council of Conservative Citizens (CofCC); and the Rockford Institute and their strong influence on contemporary politics.  Our "Monuments of Folly" in proclaiming a celebration of "Heritage not Hate", even as we memorialize the Confederacy's heritage of hate, not only reveals our hypocrisy, but presents us as ridiculous.

Event Sponsors: Savannah Black Heritage Festival; SSU History Club ; SSU Archives.