These past few months have been some of heated debate, due to officials contemplating whether or not confederate monuments within this country should be left standing. Leftists argue that confederate monuments should be taken down from their pedestal, as they do not represent what the United States are about. There have even been passionate demonstrations of anger, that went as far as destroying statues. On the contrary, their opposers believe that it is of extreme importance to keep these monuments standing, as they serve as a reminder of a horrendous history. Reoccurring differences of opinion regarding this topic include: what these statues truly symbolize, why they were put up, how the statues will affect the future, as well as what the supporters of these statues actually stand for.
White supremacy, “the belief that white people are superior to those of all other races, especially the black race, and should therefore dominate society” (Oxford Dictionary), has been one of the most upfront arguments amongst monument opposers. Cox believes that since the United States is now a nation of equality and diversity, then it should not be honoring racists who were against this equality, and who fought to preserve slavery. Throughout much of Cox’s essay, and while supporting her arguments, she maintains a critical and resentful tone toward those battling in favor of white supremacy. The type of logos used later on, deductive reasoning, takes the generalization that bad people should be punished, and applies it to the specific case of monuments. As a frame of reference, Vowell believes that just like citizens today who betray the U.S. and conspire with foreign countries should be prosecuted, then traitors of the past should not be celebrated through an image in their honor.
Davidson goes on to state that the monuments actually serve everyone well. They serve a good purpose because they symbolize reminders of what this country should not go back to -a slavery-based society. The symbolization of these statues transcends into why they were put up. Davidson explains that they were put up for unity; soldiers were simply trying to show a devotion to their home states. They had a sense of duty to protect their families and their people from what they saw as an invading army. “That they were wrong about slavery does not excuse us today from the burden of trying to understand what motivated them to fight…” (Davidson). Although to non-supporters, this is all nonsense. Cox contrasts this belief by stating that they were put up to demonstrate division of ethnicities as well as amongst social classes. Cox then says the white elites tried to find ways to stay in power and prevent uprising; this was accomplished by making the white working class pit against blacks, the people who they had more in common with economically, than the people in power. Those in power maintained their status through racial violence, and the “…white elites showed their thanks by erecting Confederate monuments” (Cox).
Yet in Cox’s opinion, it is still possible to remember history and remember the suffering of the people who made up this country, even without the statues still standing. She simply does not wish to see them occupy public spaces where they represent racist confederates in a positive manner. She would rather them be taken down, destroyed or put in a museum, as long as they are not visible on the streets. Though in this case, Cox uses a genetic fallacy as support of her statement. In a sense, she is saying that the hateful origins of the monument indicate this is the nature of it now. Cox ultimately wants to stand up for the minorities suppressed, by removing images of slavery supporting racists.
Yet in Vowell’s essay, she goes against Cox’s argument when she states confederates were not the only people fighting for slavery. Vowell uses her family line as an example, and explains that her Cherokee great-great grandfather -a minority- fought on the side of so called “racists”. Though, does anything good or bad come out of their removal? Davidson suggests that although the original intention of the statues were not “… originally meant to educate future generations about the evils of slavery and secession… it doesn’t mean that we can’t take them as such today.” (Davidson). In other words, the powerful lesson within them would be diminished if they were to be destroyed or placed in a confined glass box at a museum. Future generations would be losing more than gain by forgetting these physical reminders. Therefore, they believe it is in everyone’s best interest to keep them where they are.
Cox also feels that in order to secure a wonderful future then we must distance ourselves from the past, and forget images honoring unfavorable people. This clean slate will provide a fresh start for humanity. On the contrary, Davidson believes that olden times are significant because it tells us where we come from. In his eyes, learning from history gives everyone the foundation for a bright future. The past gives us a sense of identity, and can also tell us what we should not go back to. The past is valuable, and he argues leftists want to forget the past “… to liberate society from the strictures of tradition and history in order to secure a glorious new future” (Davidson); if these historic images are taken down then no one will be able to remember the past, leading to the continuation of slavery and worsening of humans all over the world. Here, Davidson’s argument follows a slippery slope. His argument is a stretch from what would most likely happen and jumps to drastic conclusions to put his point across.
Of course, to Cox, she believes preserving history is not the real intention. She states it is a cover-up for the true underlying issue and battles this statement by saying right-wingers are fighting just to preserve racism, not history. What leads her to this belief is the pattern amongst right-winged supporters. Under the observations of Cox, she suggests supporters not only like to preserve monuments of racist individuals, but they also tend to flaunt other offensive images, such as Nazi flags, swastika symbols, and confederate flags. This common theme leads to the assumption of racism within the supporter group.
These pieces of metal can ultimately stand for whatever each individual wants it to stand for. For some, it will signify an important lesson to be used for future generations, as a reminder of what this country should never revert to. These teachings can then set a possible foundation for a different future. For the other half, they are heinous images that are simply a source of pride for the xenophobic population in this country. To this half, those monuments are still an important source of history but do not need to be in a public occupation. Ultimately, this debate continues to be an ongoing one, and will perhaps stay that way unless both halves can agree on what these monuments truly symbolize.
- Why Confederate Monuments Must Fall – Karen L Cox
- Why We Should Keep The Confederate Monuments Right Where They Are – John Daniel Davison
- America’s Statue Wars are a Family Feud – Sarah Vowell