Charlottesville’s Confederate Statues Have Been Taken Down, But What About the Rest?

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After a prolonged four years following the tragic “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where one life was lost, the Confederate statues of generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson have finally been removed. It’s time to reflect on this significant change in a landscape that has been marred by white supremacy and hatred. The Charlottesville City Council made the decision to take down the statues, prompting outrage from some who equate this action with an erasure of heritage. This emotional uproar was exacerbated by a rally that included neo-Nazis and resulted in the death of Heather Heyer and injuries to many others.

Fast forward four years: the statues are gone. However, the question remains — why did it take so long? A circuit court judge initially ruled that their removal conflicted with a Virginia law protecting war memorials, but this decision was overturned by the Virginia State Supreme Court in April. Given that these statues were erected in the 1920s and the law was passed in 1997, it was deemed inapplicable.

Yet, the question lingers: Why didn’t anyone take them down under the cover of night?

Confederate Statues Still Loom Over the South

During the summer, I took my children down Monument Avenue in Richmond, a street that has become synonymous with Confederate iconography. While Richmond has removed the statues of Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson, the statue of Robert E. Lee still stands amidst ongoing legal disputes. Lee’s legacy is tainted by his support for slavery, believing it was a necessary evil for Black people, despite the brutality he inflicted on his own enslaved individuals.

Think about it: these statues represent men who fought to uphold the institution of slavery. If you have Black friends, consider how they feel when they see these monuments. Are you outraged? If not, are you really considering the impact on those around you?

The Reality of Genocide

Kerri Smilie recently shared a poignant observation on social media after visiting Germany: “We didn’t see a single statue of a Nazi.” This prompts an important question about the Confederate statues that remain. The actions of figures like Lee, Jackson, and Davis were not just about the Civil War; they were rooted in systemic oppression and violence against Black people.

From 1500 to 1900, millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homes, suffering horrendous conditions during transport. The legacy of violence did not end there; it continued for generations.

Now look around your state and local areas. Confederate statues and memorials are all too common. From parks to schools named after these figures, we still see a glorification of their actions. For instance, many high schools are named after figures like Nathan Bedford Forrest, a general and founder of the KKK.

Despite efforts to remove these statues, the reality is that many will simply be relocated to museums. This is not an act of accountability; it’s merely a shift in location.

A Call for Action

The statues in Charlottesville have been removed, but countless others remain. They do not embody a noble heritage; they symbolize hatred and white supremacy, representing the oppression of millions. It’s time to address these reminders of genocide and take them down.

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Summary:

Charlottesville’s removal of Confederate statues marks a significant step forward, yet many remain throughout the South. These monuments symbolize a legacy of oppression and violence against Black people, and it’s crucial to confront their existence. Removing these statues is not just about erasing the past, but about acknowledging the truth of history.

Keyphrase: Confederate statues removal

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