Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
New plate distorts history As a proud resident of South Carolina, I am compelled to address an intriguing yet perplexing decision made by the Legislature: the inclusion of the phrase “Where the Revolutionary War Was Won” on our state's new standard license plate. While the intent may be to honor our nation’s history, I believe this phrase not only is misleading but also undermines the rich and complex narrative of the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War began in April 1775, with the first shots fired at the battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. It was not until October 1781 that the war effectively concluded with the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia. While South Carolina played a significant role in the conflict — with key battles such as the Battle of Fort Moultrie, the Battle of Camden and the Battle of Cowpens — it was neither the site of the war’s beginning nor of its ending. By proclaiming South Carolina as “Where the Revolutionary War Was Won,” we risk distorting the historical truth for the sake of a catchy slogan. The Siege of Charleston in 1780 resulted in one of the worst American defeats in the war. History should be celebrated with accuracy, reflecting the events as they truly occurred. The Revolutionary War was a collective struggle involving multiple states, each contributing to the fight for independence in its own way. Let’s ensure that South Carolina’s representation on the road reflects the true spirit of our past — one that honors the contributions of all states involved in the fight for independence. ERIN BURRIS Charleston Uplift tennis museum On a recent visit with tennis friends, I discovered one of Charleston’s true hidden gems — the Tiny Tennis Museum, lovingly created by Jim McCready. Tucked away in a small building, this delightful spot celebrates a game that has long been part of Charleston’s charm and character. What makes this museum truly special, though, is Jim himself. His deep knowledge of tennis, paired with his enthusiasm and warmth, made our visit both engaging and memorable. It’s clear he has poured his heart into preserving this remarkable slice of sports history for our community. It would be wonderful to see this museum expand into a larger space — one that reflects the significance of the collection and allows more people to experience it. Charleston is a city that values both culture and sport, and the Tiny Tennis Museum embodies the best of both. I hope our community will rally behind Jim’s vision and help it grow. ROBERTA GILMAN Mount Pleasant Use your vote In October of last year, while I was standing in line at a local shop, I joined a conversation between a young cashier and a customer about then-looming elections. They wondered if their votes would even matter. As we talked about how national-level offices can often seem predetermined, I pointed out that our votes can and do matter tremendously in local elections. That is even more true in 2025. On Tuesday, dozens of town and city council seats are up for election. These municipal elections are largely nonpartisan, which means candidates cannot rely on a cookie-cutter party identity. Who they are matters tremendously — their skills and experiences, their reasons for running and their priorities. Their decisions will affect important aspects of daily life and the character of our communities through affordable housing, local parks, the quality of services (roads, garbage collection, sewer, water), public safety and zoning. For a one-stop shop to find out what offices and candidates are on your personal ballot and what those candidates stand for, the League of Women Voters provides a great resource: vote411.org. It's a handy online voter guide that uses your local address to quickly show your exact ballot and candidates' information.
