Members of the largest union of federal workers are calling on Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., to apologize for displaying a book about Civil War Gen. Robert E. Lee in his office, and said it amounts to a display of “pro-slavery materials.”
Members of the American Federation of Government Employees from Georgia this week visited Ferguson’s office, where the lawmaker has a copy of the book Gen. Robert Edward Lee: Soldier, Citizen, and Christian Patriot under a glass case.
Union members said the book is opened to a page that includes the following passages:
“The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, societally, and physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing is necessary for their instruction as a race,” the passage reads, and at another point says “if he means well to the slave he must not create angry feelings in the master.”
“It is utterly despicable that Congressman Ferguson would dare display such a racist item so prominently in his office,” said AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. “It’s bad enough that he owns such a book, but to know that he also chose to open it to that page in particular tells me just what kind of leader Rep. Ferguson is.”
“As a black man and constituent, I can say that nothing makes you feel more unwelcome in your own member of Congress’ office than seeing such racist memorabilia,” said a political coordinator with AFGE, Steward James Miller.
“Ferguson must immediately explain why he chose to display this book and the medals, and issue a formal apology for offending the countless constituents who have been forced to see it,” said Jeremy Lannan, AFGE’s National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices.
