Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell declared that his state would honor April as “Confederate History and Heritage Month” thus reviving a tradition that had falled into misuse. He completely ignored slavery in his message, making it look as if that practice had been of secondary importance.

Bob McDonnell is a Republican, has gained a reputation for his anti-abortion, anti-feminist and anti-gay positions. Until now, he had avoided having to position himself vis-à-vis racial and historical controversies.

The rebirth of the Confederate Month is symptomatic of the current discontent with the federal government and the resurgence of the issues related to the War of Secession.