Robert E. Lee Descendant Resigns As Pastor After Racial Justice Remark

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — The Rev. Robert W. Lee IV, a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, resigned as pastor of Bethany United Church of Christ, near Winston-Salem, citing negative reactions to his remarks in support of racial justice during an MTV awards show.

The general's distant nephew issued a statement Monday saying he stepped down after the congregation decided to put his tenure to a vote.

Lee said some church members were uncomfortable with his remarks praising the Black Lives Matter movement during the Aug. 27 MTV Video Music Awards. He was introducing the mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed during demonstrations over a Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia. Lee also used the televised remarks to lament that his ancestor had become a symbol of racism. (For more information on Lee's resignation and other Greensboro stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"We have made my ancestor an idol of white supremacy, racism and hate," he said. "As a pastor, it is my moral duty to speak out against racism, America's original sin."

The MTV appearance brought unwanted attention to the small church about 100 miles west of Raleigh. The church has a Winston-Salem address but serves the town of Midway, Lee said.

"A faction of church members were concerned about my speech and that I lifted up Black Lives Matter movement, the Women' s March, and Heather Heyer as examples of racial justice work," Lee said in the statement explaining his resignation.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Lee declined to elaborate on what was said by the church members who disagreed with him but said it was clear he couldn't remain as pastor.

"The uncomfortable media attention and differing views with me by some of the congregation — and I want to make it very clear that it was not all of the congregation — made it clear that I was no longer welcome there," he said, adding that he's also received positive messages.

He said he received a supportive call Tuesday from the Rev. John Dorhauer, the national president of the United Church of Christ.

Two local congregation leaders listed in state nonprofit filings didn't respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday. The church's phone rang unanswered.

Lee also issued an apology to church members for causing them pain with his remarks on MTV. But he said he continues to "strongly support" removal of monuments to his ancestor and other Confederates.

Lee, a recent graduate of the Duke Divinity School and the great-great-great-great nephew of the Confederate general, was appointed pastor of the church in April, according to its website.

While Lee spoke out against racism in a 2016 Washington Post opinion piece that linked him to his namesake, he said his MTV appearance has garnered a much stronger reaction. But most of all, he said, he doesn't want the news about him to take attention away from larger conversations about racism in the U.S.

"I don't want this to be about me," he said.

Lee's remarks on MTV came in the aftermath of a rally by white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, that turned violent as the demonstrators clashed with counterprotesters. Heyer died when a driver plowed into a crowd that had gathered to denounce the white supremacists.

By JONATHAN DREW, Associated Press

Photo credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP