To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, discussion questions, and ways to take action on the issue of whether historic statues should be taken down in the United States, go to ProCon.org.
While the debate whetherConfederatestatues should be taken down has been gaining momentum for years, the issue gained widespread attention after the June 17, 2015, mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.The shooter was said to have glorified the Confederate South, posing in Facebook photos with the Battle Flag of the Northern Virginia Army (also known now as the “Confederate flag,” though it never represented the Confederate States) and touring historical Confederate locations before the shooting.
The issue rose to prominence again in 2017 after an Aug. 12 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent and deadly. The rally protested the proposed removal of statues of Confederate Army GeneralsRobert E. LeeandStonewall Jackson.
The Virginia statues still stood amid the protests following the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, though they were tagged with graffiti. During the globalBlack Lives Matterprotests in the summer of 2020, calls to take down the statues were met with citizens not only actively damaging or removing statues of Confederate figures, but targeting statues of slave-holdingFounding Fathers in general, as well as historic monuments to Abraham Lincoln and abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass.
According to theSouthern Poverty Law Center(SPLC), 59 Confederate statues and nine markers or plaques were removed from public land in 19 US states between June 17, 2015 and July 6, 2020. The SPLC reported at least 160 monuments were removed in 2020 after George Floyd’s death, more than the prior four years combined At last count, about 704 Confederate monuments remained on public land.
Pro
- The statues misrepresent history, and glorify people who perpetuated slavery, attempted secession from United States, and lost the Civil War.
- The statues are a painful reminder of past and present institutionalized racism in the United States.
- There are many other people who could be represented by statues who would better represent the historical progress and diversity of the country.
Con
- The statues represent the country’s history, no matter how complicated. Taking them down is to censor, whitewash, and potentially forget that history.
- Removing statues is a slippery slope that could lead to the brash removal of monuments to any slightly problematic person.
- The statues do not cause racism and could be used to fight racism if put into historical context.
This article was published on January 20, 2022, at Britannica’s ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. Go toProCon.orgto learn more.
As an expert in American history and the ongoing debate surrounding the removal of historic statues, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the nuances and complexities of this contentious issue. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of historical events, cultural context, and the diverse perspectives that shape the discourse on monuments and memorials in the United States.
The issue of whether historic statues, particularly those associated with the Confederacy, should be taken down has been a subject of intense debate for years. I am well-versed in the historical events that have propelled this discussion to the forefront of public consciousness, such as the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in 2015 and the violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in 2017. These incidents have played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative surrounding the removal of statues, especially those honoring Confederate Army Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
One crucial aspect of my expertise lies in the comprehensive knowledge of the broader context, including the social and political climate during significant events such as the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. I am aware of the calls to take down statues not only related to Confederate figures but also extending to Founding Fathers and abolitionists like Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. My understanding extends to the Southern Poverty Law Center's data, which indicates the removal of Confederate statues from public land and the subsequent rise in removals after the death of George Floyd.
Analyzing the Pro and Con arguments presented in the article, I can delve into the historical accuracy of the claims. Proponents argue that these statues misrepresent history, glorifying individuals associated with slavery and secession. I can provide additional examples and evidence to support this perspective, drawing on a broad range of historical sources. On the contrary, opponents contend that removing statues amounts to censorship and erasure of history, and I can articulate the complexities involved in preserving historical memory while addressing the problematic aspects of certain figures.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of the historical events, cultural context, and diverse perspectives surrounding the removal of historic statues positions me as an authority on this subject. I can offer a nuanced and informed analysis of the Pro and Con arguments presented in the article, providing a deeper understanding of the ongoing debate and the implications of decisions regarding the fate of these monuments.
