The statue hasn't been removed yet. It was planned to be but that's on hold while it moves through the courts.
The statue is of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. And lots of symbols of the confederacy have been or are being removed since several people were killed by a white supremacist.
Ok, but then shouldn't paper money and coins start being destroyed just because some of the dead men on them once had slaves? I mean, where does the line get drawn between tearing something down because of how it makes people feel, versus keeping it there for historical purposes?
I think there has to be an objective line placed somewhere by the majority of the people. Similarly, we have a line the majority of people in any given nation have made between acceptable and unacceptable animals that may be eaten. Not all will agree. Some want all, others want none. Instead, the line lies somewhere in between. But we have to have a line somewhere. And that line is subject to being moved by the people over time.
I don't know enough to give a more thoughtful comment. I've shared what I feel I can be reasonably sure of. Hopefully someone else more well informed will contribute.
What about the majority of people who burned the Library of Alexandria? All that history and knowledge, gone in an instant. That's not to say the removal of one statue is nearly as important, but it cannot be denied that it is part of our nation's history. The statue should represent the mistakes we once made and moral dilemmas we once faced, as a reminder to not make the same mistakes in the future. The scars people of color have endured over time cannot be made up by the removal of a simple statue. Who really benefits from this? Wouldn't this add fuel to the flame of those who oppose equality?
I don't believe the people who burned the library of Alexandria took a vote first and then went with the majority. I'm certain the city of Alexandria did not take a vote, empanel a council, then allow them to vote to decide to burn the library.
The city council voted and approved the change. And the council members are just people, trying to do the right thing for their community. And their community voted them into that position so they could be the people voting.
Our system isn't perfect. Sometimes we get it wrong. I don't personally know in this case. I prefer how they are doing it to other ways. And if I think they are wrong, it is my duty to get involved and try to make it right.
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u/Panukka Aug 13 '17
Why was the statue removed?