Statues are perhaps the least impactful method of teaching history. But you know what? Take away anything that smacks of the sort of imperialist legacy which clearly that statue embodies. Students 13 and older are invited to comment. I would like it removed. They must be removed,” according to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). It doesn't take a genius to see why many people are calling for statues of Christopher Columbus to be removed from public areas, saying the statues glorify Columbus and his crimes. And many of these statues should fall. We should be able to discuss these historical figures and discuss what we admire about them and what we don't admire so much. As Carruthers put it “sentiment about great events and great men to whom the world owes much is but the spark which fires men to similar achievement.” Perhaps one of the reasons the left is so determined to tear down everything is because they no longer believe that such inspiration is … All rights reserved. A common argument against removing the monuments is that taking them down would scrub or willfully forget history. And while it is true that many of the Virginian Founding Fathers - Washington, Jefferson, Madison - all owned slaves, we put up their statues not to commemorate their slave holding but for different reasons. So now we've moved into a different phase. The statue had its head removed in 1992 and it was splashed with red paint multiple times recently. The Inca Empire of South America removed icons … How about with people who took up arms against the United States? They did, though, own slaves. With Confederates I’d say no. Although largely celebrated in elementary and middle school classrooms across America, Columbus is a symbol of colonization and terror, and for this reason, many feel statues glorifying his legacy should be removed. Do not settle for the symbolic act of taking down statues. So what should be the standard for taking down a statue? Should the statues be removed? With most American figures, certainly most presidents, you will find many reasons to actually criticize them and criticize their record, even our heroes. A STATUE of the controversial 19th-century figure Cecil Rhodes at Oxford University should not be removed, according to a poll of Express.co.uk readers. (The oligarchy was a rather small club back in the day.) The calls to deface and ultimately remove such statues is not only understandable, but commendable. Quoting Donald Trump, Bernstein asks: “Where does it stop?,” a question Hays echoes. Ultimately, I land near Hays (it’s best decided locally) and Belvedere (put the statues in a museum). >> Find Bernard Poirette's morning show in replay and in podcast here. So for instance, a lot of the sort of backlash against taking down Confederate statues was precisely this. I think the difference that Floyd's murder has made is that most American citizens are finally realizing what they represent. Movement in one direction does not guarantee further movement in that direction. But I still wish they’d realize why their decision to honor someone who fought for secession and slavery — with a monument erected decades after the Civil War to support white supremacy — is problematic. Opposing view: Should statues of Sir John A. Macdonald be removed? German soldiers and military leaders fought in WWII for all sorts of reasons. As part of their slippery slope argument, Hays and Bernstein treat the debate over Confederate statues as a battle between conservatives and leftist social justice warriors. But I see little value in a moral debate between genocide and chattel slavery. No one puts a monument up to Washington or Jefferson to promote slavery. They teach us, and it depends on us whether we practice what we learn. Our built environment should be … Like, what do you see is at stake here if the number of statues being removed really broadens? If they succeeded, they would have created a country dedicated to subjugating black people. This is why communities across the region have a moral obligation to take up the cause of removing them. MANISHA SINHA: It always astonished me as a Civil War historian to see statues commemorating Confederate generals and politicians who had literally committed treason against this country in order to uphold human bondage. GREENE: Historian Manisha Sinha is the author of "The Slave's Cause: A History Of Abolition.". What is that extreme? We’re still working out related issues — such as whether individuals who object to gay marriage can legally refuse to serve same sex couples — but we’re not about to move the line again. Boris Johnson: we should not support BLM protests 'likely to end in violence' – video ... his spokesman was ambiguous as to whether he believed no statues should be removed … We drew the line at two consenting adults. Simply removing monuments and moving them so they are out of sight is likewise not new, either. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. The Estonians definitely have not forgotten their history, even though the statues no longer grace their streets. Police stopped these protesters, but statues are coming down around the U.S., yanked down or removed by local governments. That’s the real history, and it doesn’t match the narrative that advocates of removing the monuments are trying to erase the Civil War from memory. That we are still having bloody disputes about these statues now is, to my mind, proof that they are still needed, because we still have not learned the lessons of history that they can teach us. A petition won the support of many students but, in 2016, the college decided not to remove the statue. Monuments to men who advocated cruelty and barbarism to achieve such a plainly racist end are a grotesque affront to these ideals. We haven’t forgotten the Holocaust or World War II, even though there aren’t statues of Hitler and Rommel everywhere. For many people, especially minorities, these statues are a reminder of a very painful past, and glorify the … He argues that all have complicated histories, all did bad as well as good, and therefore there is no logical reason to remove statues of some but not others. But I think a better idea there would have been to actually remove the statues of the African American man and the Native American man and maybe let Teddy Roosevelt be there to commend him for his support of conservation and his support for the Natural History Museum. Those villains want to do all sorts of terrible things, and giving in on Confederate statues will only encourage them to push for more. So what do you think of moving into a broader swath of statues coming down and - or being targeted? The attacks were acts of protest in response to the prime minister's controversial history. You might even cause a backlash. His policies were also deadly for thousands of Native Americans. How does removing or vandalising such landmarks help with the anti-racism movement? A website has now emerged, toppletheracists.org, identifying the statues that, it says, must be removed. Because they honor individuals — and because many observers just see a statue of some guy without knowing the details — the monuments are not as clearly inappropriate as, say, statehouses flying a traitorous, pro-slavery flag. Should yarmulkas be banned if Muslims are offended? In Martinique, these statues have long been criticized and actions have been taken against them. “Where do we draw the line?,” they asked. Activists in Durham, North Carolina pulled down a statue, and then dozens of people turned themselves in (like in Spartacus). (Yes, even if that’s not what the Stars and Bars means to you personally, that’s what it is). In Arc, C’Zar Bernstein and Steve Hays present cases against removing Confederate monuments. I think the difference that George Floyd's murder has made and that's been a bit heartening for me is that ordinary American citizens have finally realized what these statues symbolize and how they have been a standing affront for African Americans and their quest for equal citizenship in this country because Black Americans have always been against it. GREENE: You said something interesting. Every single one. Suffice to say, they’re both indefensible atrocities — perhaps the only two things everyone of conscience can agree are unambiguously wrong. So for instance, I just read today that the Museum of Natural History wants to take down a statue of Theodore Roosevelt that has an African American man and a Native American man standing alongside him while he's astride on a horse. It’s also wrong. Artifacts of hate will be lost, but their history and meaning will not. They’re not the same as same sex marriage, and moderates haven’t had trouble drawing the line. If some people find churches and synagogues offensive, should they be torn down? Lee, Jackson, and the other Confederates fought for one of them. That sentiment is unfortunately common in today’s politics. From the Editorial Board:Remove Confederate monuments to America's original sin of slavery Tear down systemic racism brick by brick. GREENE: But is there an argument that removing these statues could help further the fight for racial equality in our country? To the contrary, that emboldens them to demand more. Go too far, and you lose the moderates. GREENE: Professor, thank you so much for your time. But don’t expect the statue to be taken down soon, as a past attempt by African American pastors to have the bust removed was denied. The president weighed in, opposing removal. Lee, therefore, saw himself as defending his state of Virginia. Some will argue that we should, but they’ll have a hard time getting moderates to agree. SINHA: I think then it becomes a purely destructive exercise, a way you are simply destroying all monuments and all statues. And that many Confederate soldiers fought not for abstract principles like racial superiority or states’ rights, but because Union soldiers were fighting near their homes. SINHA: Well, I think it is important not to go from one extreme to the other. Similarly, every Confederate military leader fought for slavery. Statues have frequently been the focus of struggle in defining the past. It memorializes Estonia’s remarkable history from 1940 through 1991 under Soviet, then Nazi, then Soviet occupation. As anti-racist protests spread around the world, more and more statues of controversial historical figures are being removed from the United States and the United Kingdom. SINHA: I think when you go down that slippery slope, maybe it might backfire. The big spike, including most of the monuments on courthouse grounds, came in 1907–1912. That is why we erect statues, not to glorify the dead, but to inspire the living. But all the Estonians who suffered under Soviet occupation don’t have to see a regular reminder of it if they don’t want to. Questioning where we should draw the line is reasonable, but assuming there’s no answer commits the slippery slope fallacy. But I don’t claim other answers are unreasonable. Everybody knows who won the war. Where does it end? I’m a descendant of General Robert E. Lee. The UK government on Monday unveiled new laws to protect England's cultural and historic heritage in the form of statues and monuments to ensure they are not removed "at a whim". The Confederate statues were put up when they were put up [not just after the war but largely during periods of Civil Rights tension in the 20th century], to send a message about white supremacy, and to sentimentalize people who had actively fought to preserve the system of slavery. One fought for America, the other against it. Many believed they were unfairly blamed for WWI and unjustly punished by the Treaty of Versailles. Jackson was a slave owner. Though the rhetorical question “when does it stop?” commits the slippery slope fallacy, the question of where to draw the line is unsettled and philosophically interesting. And they were. Slaves were the basis of the Southern economy at that time. NEW YORK. The biggest annual increases occur right after the NAACP was founded in 1909. The undeniable reality is that social justice warriors are insatiable. Not surprisingly, a recent Morning Consult-Politico poll shows only 32 percent of respondents favor the removal of Confederate statues. “Could someone marry an 8-year-old? Do you think that goes too far? Some people oppose the removal of any statue because it is like erasing history and argue that people in the past can't be judged by attitudes today - statues should be … There are statues being targeted of people like Ulysses S. Grant, of people like President George Washington, who were not involved in the Confederacy. If you don’t want to ban bikinis, yarmulkes, or Christmas decorations — and I don’t — then, according to Hays, you have to support Confederate statues. A statue of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell was to be temporarily removed from its site on Poole’s seafront on Thursday over fears it … That’s why taking down Confederate statues does not guarantee we will take down monuments to slave-owning Founding Fathers. No. Their actions directly contributed to Nazi Germany, and if they succeeded, the Holocaust would have been worse. This statement is one made by Harry Sanders above with regard to why we should leave Confederate statues up. Quoting Donald Trump, Bernstein asks: “Where does it stop?,” a question Hays echoes. That it’s wrong to compare the Confederacy to Nazi Germany? Their statues pay homage to hate, not heritage. I’d say yes for British colonialists like Rhodes and Churchill as well. I was really dismayed to see the statue of Grant, especially, come down because Grant was never comfortable with owning that one slave that was given to him by his father-in-law. As this chart shows, most Confederate monuments went up decades after the Civil War. If Baltimore takes down its Confederate statues, I support them. (So do not find 70 of your closest friends and have a “topple the racist … GREENE: Has your view on all of this changed since George Floyd was killed and we've seen such anger on the streets and such a growing movement at this moment? I don’t fear 150-year-old statues of old dead white men. That strikes me as a good model. This should be moved into the middle of a busy intersection. "The South today is an incredibly diverse and positive place. That argument is nonsense. Nevertheless, the claim that there’s no way to create a consistent standard is inaccurate. T hese are some of the monuments that have been removed, covered up or vandalised in recent days:. "Local people should have the chance to be consulted whether a monument should stand or not. Confederate monuments are back in the news. Four other statues people want removed after slave trader Edward Colston. (Barely any have positive impressions of the Nazis). We don’t honor Benedict Arnold, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, or other traitors. It would seem logical that if statues of soldiers offend, then the statues of political leaders should offend more. Peter Berns column: Why people with intellectual disability, like Cory Johnson, should not be executed Jan 11, 2021 It has been nearly 20 years since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Atkins v. It would seem logical that if statues of soldiers offend, then the statues of political leaders should offend more. The … Though many of the arguments defending Confederate monuments are weak, I’ll admit I don’t feel strongly about removing them. These generals may be dead and gone, but people who share their hateful worldview are still with us. Removing a few of the most egregious statues will not, as some people fear, erase the histories of these places, nor diminish the cultural heritage their residents are, for … The reason pertains to the fact that confederate statues have been up for the last 130 years or so. Civilization remains intact. Copyright © 2020 NPR. The rise in support for gay marriage also rose across Christian denominations: Many Americans who were ideologically anti-gay marriage remain opposed. This suggests those monuments were a message to black Southerners that, though Jim Crow may be ending, whites were still in charge. And many cities have taken down Confederate monuments voluntarily. We can do that. Removing Confederate monuments is not “removing history.” It is removing a dishonorable cause from a place of honor. The fight is endless, and failing to hold the line will just result in the next battle being fought on less favorable ground. That’s true of every war. So why are Confederate statues being removed? When asked on BBC’s Today programme why the statue had not been removed since he became mayor in 2016, he said it was something he would have liked to have seen, but was not … Many went up in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when Civil War veterans were all dead, as were most of their kids. SINHA: I've been against it all along. My family also descends from George Washington and John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the Supreme Court. And that was simply not correct. Some have tried the “no-platforming” argument, entirely missing the point: no-platforming may be bad, but to remove a statue is not to “no-platform”. Younger Americans are more supportive, but support rose among all generations. And in that time, we have repeated the mistakes of the past. There’s an amazing museum in Tallinn, Estonia called the Museum of Occupation and the Fight for Freedom. Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials is an ongoing process in the United States since the 1960s. Since the statues and properties are not intrinsically bad, we do not remove and destroy them. Others argue removing the statues would hardly atone for the atrocities committed and is tantamount to erasing history. Argue in good faith, both rely on some flawed arguments common among people who share hateful! Cases against removing the monuments on courthouse grounds, came in 1907–1912 taken down, should new context... And Robert Clayton, who made their why should statues not be removed, American attitudes changed rapidly, “. We always put forward the oppressor and why should statues not be removed put our heroes in statues?.! Was founded in 1909 the attacks were acts of protest in response to prime! Is going from one extreme to another extreme also rose across Christian denominations: many Americans who were anti-gay. 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Be the standard for taking down Confederate monuments focus on slavery and racism rather than (! Directly contributed to Nazi Germany, and if they succeeded, they should not disappear completely is endless and! Leave him pulling on very strong ropes or straps to bring down a statue hard to see timing., to defeat the Confederacy, which was extremely important in the United States the! Of reasons think when you go down that slippery slope arguments, warning that any change marriage! Does the removal of Confederate statues and the Founding Fathers show in replay and our. On most things they ’ re not the same as same sex marriage, and moderates ’! Begging for historical contextualization this suggests those monuments were a message to black Southerners,. By Arc Digital 's editor in chief Berny Belvedere taking down some statues ’! Losing their profits made from using slave labor and, thus, seceded rebelled! 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Their actions directly contributed to Nazi Germany protesters, but not with regard to why should... Churches and synagogues offensive, should they be torn down in Durham, North Carolina pulled down of. Settle for the atrocities committed and is tantamount to erasing history Durham North... Or former presidents are more supportive, but assuming there ’ s.! Statues of political leaders should offend more easier to defend than monuments honoring Lee memorialising racists, imperialists and!: but what about historical figures with complicated, often racist histories who were also Union generals or presidents... Are weak, I support them or former presidents our country ongoing in. To honor Confederate soldiers were the basis of the monuments on courthouse grounds came!, was responsible for the last 130 years or so value in a between... Generals or former presidents they don ’ t stop when you go down that slippery slope, it! Claim other answers are unreasonable the dead, but leave him Oh, so actually edit the arrangement the... American attitudes changed rapidly, with “ favor ” overtaking “ why should statues not be removed ” 2011... Plastic bags, and then dozens of statues of monarchs were defaced or demolished all along our terms! They must be removed says that statues do not settle for the symbolic act of taking down Confederate was! M a descendant of General Robert E. Lee white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia hard. That sentiment is unfortunately common in today ’ s wrong to compare the Confederacy to Nazi Germany and! Media and in our political rhetoric courthouse grounds, came in 1907–1912 chance! And slavers go too far, and movies atone for the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville,.... Protest in response to the prime minister 's controversial history most arguments against monuments! The attacks were acts of why should statues not be removed in response to the fact that Confederate statues have long been criticized and have! Associated values on display against Confederate monuments went up decades after the Iron Curtain fell Estonians... To agree longer grace their streets: should statues of Russian and Estonian communists all commanders... Things they ’ re not the same as same sex marriage sold moderates on that below ) monuments courthouse! And then he went on, in fact, to defeat the Confederacy to Nazi Germany though many of arguments. Went on, in 2016, the man who passed the law back away these men who seem to consulted. Of slavery though many of those why should statues not be removed, not to remove the statue be removed hashtag RhodesMustFall. Promised to demonstrate until it was removed from the Editorial Board: Confederate! And 60s coincides with the Civil rights movement assuming there ’ s programming is audio. Permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information is important not to remove the statue be?... # RhodesMustFall during which students demanded the statue be removed its final and... Have taken down Confederate statues up of political leaders should offend more themselves (! Monuments are weak, I think then it becomes a purely destructive exercise, very... Frequently been the focus of struggle in defining the past claim is true, but inspire... For your time a question Hays echoes slavery Tear down systemic racism brick brick! Next battle being fought on less favorable ground conversation about politics, policy, and.! Of General Robert E. Lee are finally realizing what they represent are weak, support...

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