Lawmakers in Arkansas found a passive-aggressive way to “honor” and “celebrate” Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of freedom and equality.

The American Civil War was fought in large part over slavery. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s civil rights battles were the direct result of decades, centuries of anti-equality policies, laws, and beliefs â€“ including slavery â€“Â fostered by whites against Blacks. As we honor Dr. King and his legacy today, it’s clear that battle is not yet over.

Take the state of Arkansas.

It’s not like Civil War Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee (photo) was born in ArkansasÂ â€“ he was born in Virginia. And yet, lawmakers in Arkansas found a way to diminish Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of civil rights andÂ equalityÂ by “honoring” both King and Lee on the same day, every year, even though they stood for diametrically-opposed beliefs.

Even Virginia, Lee’s birthplace, honors Lee on the Friday before the Martin Luther King holiday.

But in ArkansasÂ â€“ and in Alabama and MississippiÂ â€“ Lee’s birthday is celebrated on the same day each year as the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

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Image via WikimediaÂ