The contest if the confederate statuettes should be removed has been on the rise. Many people have focused on the significance of the monuments in the country due to the increased cases of their destruction. For instance, many monuments represent vital individuals who played an essential role in American history. However, one can analyze various aspects to determine whether statues should be removed or not. While some argue that statues should be removed due to issues such as discrimination, their opponents claim that monuments are essential since they represent significant events and people in American history.
Some people argue the statues pervert history and instead end up adoring the perpetrators of slavery or the architects of the attempted separation from the United States who were defeated in the national conflict. Many individuals claimed that they were defending industrialization as opposed to the supposed end of slavery. The creation of statues for the black heroes who died during the Civil War was one way to adjust history. While the confederate’s statutes serve as a reminder of independence and freedom, some argue that they serve as an agitator, hence enabling the residents to retain racialist philosophy (Jasmine). Therefore, some monuments have been used to remind people about events such as the Civil War.
Some leaders have also focused on the importance of monuments in America. One of the leaders who opposed the demolition of statues is former president Donald Trump (Phil 1). According to the former President, bringing the statues down means overlooking their history (Goodrich and Bombardella 2). Similarly, the destruction is breaching their heritage which they hold very dear. The United States residents have the privileges to hold contrary views and erect statues to respect their beliefs (Goodrich and Bombardella 3). The Constitution of America preserves everyone’s speech regardless of whether it is accepted by the majority or not (Goodrich and Bombardella 3). The confederate’s monuments serve as a mnemonic for civilian war, the culmination of captivity, the government’s affirmation of the privileges of the state, and the continual systemic racism.
John Daniel, a political newspaper writer, expostulates that some monuments cannot be a justification for the current residents to overlook the motivators of the civil war and the motivation behind bringing down countless statues many decades later. The editor also argued that the demolition of such statues is disrespectful to the existing founding fathers (Gould 163). Additionally, many people have also argued that statues should remind what the American residents are and the price the founding fathers paid to secure their freedom.
In support of the demolition of the monuments, some people postulated that many residents aimed to take society back to the limiting time when liberty was initiated by ethnicity. Thus, removing the statues can be exercised to ensure that they do not prevent equality in a diverse culture (Phil). Further, society learns from the past by knowing that racial discrimination should be commemorated. People can also argue that monuments were erected to celebrate white chauvinists and the idea that the effects of war have not been overlooked with time. These issues have led to many people destroying the monuments during protests. Moreover, many statues have been destroyed during protests, which reveals that some people in society do not value the monuments.
Tommye Finley, a black resident of Virginia, confirmed the same. His argument stated that the site of the statues at the city’s avenue, a place decorated with several confederates ignited a question regarding why the government should put figures of failures in the city (Phil). He argues that the monuments are reminders that the whites still are in control or are superior. The monument not only portrays racial superiority, but the reason for its erection was a continuation of white supremacy, an affirmation of their control of the white in the Southern society. Therefore, such statues tend to please the whites, as confirmed by the public, leading to the argument that they should be demolished.
Some people have also focused on the values that the monuments represent in the community. According to Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the statues are about the principles the Americans want to adore and erect in public places (Phil). Nancy further argued that monuments of individuals who promoted barbarism to attain racism are a monstrous disrespect to the aspiration of the American culture. Additionally, the residents use the money to have the statues erected. According to Smithsonian Magazine, much revenue is used for statue erection (Phil). Therefore, these aspects reveal that the demolition of statues can be linked to various issues in American history.
On the contrary, removing the monuments could cause the demolition of all the statues even at the slightest mistake. For instance, Thomas Jefferson, who wrote part of the American standard of fairness and spiritual liberty, was perceived as an abolitionist insincere and a sensible individual who comprehended that America would leave captivity quickly (Jasmine). He hoped that the subsequent cohorts would do away with captivity. In one of his books, Jefferson wrote that retaining the slavery docket was comparable to having a wolf close to the ear as one can neither have it nor safely release it to go. Gordon, a professor at Harvard University, argued that there is a need to differentiate between the destruction of the country and aiding to build the nation (Jasmine). The lecture further stipulated that both Washington and Jefferson were critical in the development of America and its shaping, and statues were not built since they endorsed captivity.
Several Presidents of the United States had immense achievements during their tenure; however, questions such as whether the country has to forget their accomplishments since they portrayed contrary conduct have been discussed. Individuals have also asked whether the founding father’s graves and battlegrounds should be protected or be dismantled. Furthermore, it can be unlawful when any resident can bring down any monument they deviate from in their community. While some monuments were destroyed, even those of black people were tagged with White Lives matters, showing that statues have been used to depict messages to the public.
While there are thousands of persons who would be depicted in many statues and better portray Americans’ generational progress and their diversity, it is not so. America has about 5193 statues; only 394 represent women, with even fewer depicting black Americans and other persons of color (Jasmine). An appeal by the Tennessee residents gathered about signatures pushing for the substitution of all the confederate monuments. Some of the proposed monuments were those of Military officials and Nathan Forrest with that Dolly Parton. Thus, many people are concerned with the statues available and what they represent in society.
While many argue that monuments instigate racial discrimination, they could be employed to battle discrimination when put into past perspective. According to Sophia Nelson, her college mates abhor colored students because of the monuments they have in the University, but rather because they had a racist mindset (Phil). The mindset made the college mate celebrate racial discrimination and fostered cultural favoritism. Nelson argues that such a mindset is what the residents should wrestle against in the community. Furthermore, it can help in limiting conflicts steered by racial differences in society.
To conclude, many aspects can be considered to determine whether statues should be demolished or not. For instance, some of the monuments remind people about the outstanding achievements of the United States. Moreover, some monuments represent the heroes and heroines who died during the Civil War and other American historical events. Therefore, the creation of statues is encouraged since it is one way to appreciate the past. However, some issues reveal that monuments should be demolished. For example, some people argue that the government should not put figures of failure in the city. Additionally, people have associated monuments with discrimination stating that few depict women and black Americans, and other persons of color. Therefore, although many people argue that monuments should be demolished due to different factors, various issues can be analyzed to determine whether statues should be removed or not.
Works Cited
Gino, Spocchia, “Christopher Columbus Statue Torn Down, Set on Fire and Tossed in Lake by Anti-Racism Protesters in Virginia,”Independent.co.uk, 2020. Web.
Goodrich, Andre, and Pia Bombardella. “What are Statues Good for? Winning the Battle or Losing the Battleground?.” Koers. vol. 81.no.3, 2016, pp. 1-10. Web.
Gould, Katherine E. “Statues: for Those Deserving Respect.”Nature, vol. 549.no. 7671, 2017, pp.160-162. Web.
Jasmine, Aguilera. “Confederate Statues Are Being Removed amid Protest Over George Floyd’s Death. Here’s What to Know,”time.com, 2020. Web.
Phil, Davis. “George Washington Monument in Druid Hill Park Spray-Painted with ‘Destroy Racists’, Anti-Police Sentiment,” baltimoresun.com, 2020. Web.