Jessie Matanky
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

I guess i just don’t think that statues are the only, or even the best way to educate people on history. People see them as they drive or walk by, and most don’t stop to read plaques for context. When you see a general on a horse, looking galant and strong, that doesn’t convey the message of “This guy was a war criminal and slavery abdicator who fought to keep black people in chains”. If you really want a statue of Robert E. Lee in your town square, then make a new one that shows the new opinion. Statues are art and have clear messages based on who made them and with what intention. Additionally, these statues may be painful for some people to have to see on a regular basis.

Personally, I take time to educate myself on the Holocaust when I feel I can handle it. If I had to drive by a statue of Hitler every day, it would harm my metal state. Some things have scars too deep to confront people with forcefully on a regular basis. Strong people, or people who might have a less personal connection to the hurt may be ok with it, but speaking for myself, I can understand why removing a statue makes sense in some cases. If a woman has been raped, you shouldn’t tell her that she should look at a picture of the rapist every day to make herself stronger and ‘never forget’. Some things are too much. I can understand why you don’t feel that way, but guess what? You’re white and weren’t really effected by slavery. Just because they don’t really ‘bother’ you that way doesn’t mean they don’t affect someone else in a much, much stronger way. Is the message you want to convey “Whatever, buck up. I want to keep it there.” ?

Keep educating, don’t remove the names from textbooks or films: we aren’t saying we shouldn’t talk about it. I am simply saying that statues are not the same as education, and they certainly aren’t equivocal of erasing history.

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    Jessie Matanky

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