I Disagree with the Removal of the Statues

I don’t agree with the removal of statues from public lands.

The statues of men like Confederate Generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee represent a horrible and painful history for my people, and many others, in this country. That cannot be denied.

At the same time, the presence of their statues and plaques in public places offer an important education that all of us need to understand and NEVER forget.

I want my children to visit these landmarks and understand why they are there. I want them to understand the context of the times that these statues were erected in. I want them to hear the whole truth about U.S. history, which they don’t often hear in school texts and history books. I want them to see how America celebrated people who undermined Black America’s way of life. More importantly, I want them to deepen their commitment to ensuring our nation never crosses back into those dangerous, bloody and repugnant waters ever again.

I don’t care if crazy people worship slaveholders, plantation protectors and racist political figures. Removing the statues won’t stop this type of hero worship, it will only increase it. But education about this history…that has the potential to inform hearts and minds, and build enlightened, compassionate people.

I want young people to ask the question, “Why in ‘liberal’ Madison, Wisconsin, are their statues of confederate soldiers and other racist xenophobes?” What was Madison like when these statues were erected? What was it like for African Americans, Jewish Americans, American Indians, women and others during those times who lived here?

Removal of these statues will only ensure that we miss this opportunity educate our citizens, and our kids.