https://www.al.com/opinion/2015/06/john_lewis_terri_sewell_defend.html
The Edmund Pettus Bridge is an iconic symbol of the struggle for voting rights in America, and its name is as significant as its imposing structure. The historical irony is an integral part of the complicated history of Selma -- a city known for its pivotal role in the Civil War and the civil rights movement.
The Edmund Pettus Bridge symbolizes both who we once were, and who we have become today. The name reflects the fact that this bridge was built in the cradle of the old Confederacy and that Edmund Pettus was a very significant man of his era--Confederate general, U.S. Senator---and yes, a member of the Klu Klux Klan.
Renaming the Bridge will never erase its history. Instead of hiding our history behind a new name we must embrace it --the good and the bad. The historical context of the Edmund Pettus Bridge makes the events of 1965 even more profound. The irony is that a bridge named after a man who inflamed racial hatred is now known worldwide as a symbol of equality and justice. It is biblical--what was meant for evil, God uses for good.
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