A major controversy has developed about removing statues and renaming schools, military forts, and streets of those who were involved on the Confederate side of the Civil War.
There is no debate that the Confederate States of America was based on the preservation of slavery and white supremacy.
So it is perfectly appropriate to rename schools, military forts, and streets that honor such political and military figures of the Confederacy. The US government can simply decide to change the names of the forts, but to rename schools and streets should be up to popular vote of those in the communities.
At the same time, the Confederate Flag should not be permitted on public property.
However, should the destruction of statues be promoted?
My answer is absolutely not, as statues are works of art, and should be respected, and should not face damage, vandalism, and destruction.
There should be a vote of the appropriate population that decides if such Confederate statues should be peacefully removed, and put in museums.
And this move to destroy statues of non Confederate leaders, including Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, as well as other historical figures, must be resisted forcefully.
Yes, the early Presidents were slave owners, and yes, many Presidents had racist backgrounds, but it is all part of history, and we cannot allow so called “purification of history” to please radicals who wish to destroy the American past!
Rather, teach the truth, but honor the important contributions of Presidents and others who also did good deeds.
We are not going to allow destruction of Mount Rushmore, but also, we are not going to allow destruction of Stone Mountain, which honors Confederate leaders. This is part of our history which needs to be taught and exposed, but not allowing violent action to suppress!
We cannot deny our past, and we cannot destroy our past, clear and simple!
Well said, Professor.
Given that three of the four folks on Mt Rushmore have already been targeted for abuse and/or banishment, don’t be surprised if somebody comes up with a scheme to blow the whole thing up [along with Stone Mountain].
But statues and memorials aren’t the only things being sent down America’s 2020 Memory Hole. What about Confederate flags? Should all Confederate flags and other symbols, logos, and memes be banned everywhere: from displays on both public and private property, including personal fashion? From family or business flagpoles to t-shits, hats, and bumper stickers?
And while there may be “no debate that the Confederate States of America was based on the preservation of slavery and white supremacy” [at least among certain folks], The First American Civil War was not about that at all.
It was ~ in Lincoln’s own words ~ about “preserving the Union”; a Union that, if it was going to stretch “from Sea to shining Sea,” most certainly needed the agricultural South and the Gulf of Mexico as part of the nascent proto-Empire.
One of the seeds for the destruction of the United States was planted back in 1789, when a Constitution that included Slavery was ratified and became the law of the land that had declared its independence on the grounds that “All Men are created equal and endowed…., blah-blah-blah.”
Another seed was planted just under 160 years ago at a place called Fort Sumter.
Confederate flag should go bye bye on public property.
Agreed, Former Republican!
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https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/06/23/why-young-people-are-demanding-america-rethink-its-past/
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The attorney general will just lie. We need to hear from officials who tell the truth.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/06/23/why-congress-should-subpoena-doj-whistleblowers-before-barr/
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Rudy Giuliani might have just explained it.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/06/23/what-was-behind-barrs-friday-night-massacre/
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https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/06/24/how-trump-will-try-to-steal-the-election/
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Living through a pandemic has made that even more obvious.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/06/24/americans-want-a-president-they-can-trust/