After recently returning to my hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi, I’ve contemplated visiting Beauvoir, the historical site and former home of Jefferson Davis – the president of the Confederate States of America. Despite my disdain for everything the Confederacy represented, I do appreciate history and historical sites, and Beauvoir is the largest one in the area. However, I’m hesitant about paying an admission fee since the property is owned by the Mississippi division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and I’m unsure of how they utilize their funds beyond the upkeep of the site.
When it comes to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, their actions raise questions about their values. They recently exhumed the remains of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general and grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, and held a ceremonial reburial in their National Confederate Museum in Columbia, Tennessee. The museum claims to present a “Southern perspective of the War Between the States,” perpetuating the myth of the Lost Cause. Another myth often associated with Confederate sites is the notion of the kind slave owner. While this may not directly apply to Beauvoir, it is worth noting that Davis believed himself to be a benevolent master at other locations.
However, one must question the validity of this claim. Several enslaved individuals in Davis’s household and at his Brierfield plantation decided to flee, which contradicts the idea of a “good master.” Additionally, many enslaved individuals were forced to participate in the construction of defenses at Vicksburg, resulting in their deaths. It is clear that slavery is inherently immoral, regardless of the absence of physical abuse. The concept of a “good master” is simply a fallacy.
Given these concerns, it seems logical to question whether supporting the Sons of Confederate Veterans through admission fees is ethical. Interestingly, Beauvoir does not appear to generate significant funds for the organization. Their tax returns indicate substantial annual operating losses, and admissions account for less than half of their revenue. A significant portion of their income, around $100,000 each year, comes from the Mississippi State Legislature. It seems that Beauvoir is not the financial cash cow one might assume.
Despite the ethical dilemmas associated with Confederate sites, there can still be value in visiting and studying the homes of individuals who were entrenched in moral wrongdoing. These majestic locations, including Beauvoir, were built on the backs of enslaved individuals. The name Beauvoir, meaning “beautiful to view,” should serve as a reminder that appreciating the site requires acknowledging its darker history.
In response to the previous column’s question about an overcompensated nonprofit employee, the Ethicist rightly suggests considering the long-term fairness of income and comparing it to others at the same career stage. It is important to discuss any concerns about workload and job satisfaction with superiors, as there may be opportunities to reconfigure the role for maximum value and personal fulfillment. Taking a proactive approach to shape one’s job around individual talents can contribute significantly to an organization.
Overall, the decision to visit Beauvoir or support the Sons of Confederate Veterans ultimately rests on each individual’s personal ethics and values. By examining the history behind these sites and engaging in thoughtful discussions, we can strive to better understand the complexities of the past while promoting a more inclusive and just future.
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