Mundane Documents, American Exceptionalism, and Savannah’s “Unique” History

A Comparative Rhetorical Analysis of the Confederate Memorial Task Force’s Reports

Abstract

This article analyzes two recommendation reports that were used to determine outcomes for the Confederate monument in Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia. Through a comparative rhetorical analysis, I evaluate each report’s “Historical Context” section, analyze the phrase “Savannah’s unique history” to decipher its rhetorical impact, examine and critique the survey methods, and compare the ways in which each document presents specific and measurable ways to support truth-telling efforts pertaining to the city’s Black, Muscogee, and Yamassee history.