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Should the Confederate Statues Stay? Recently in Arizona a statue of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, was covered in tar and feathers. This vandalism is a product of the movement to remove Confederate memorials and statues across the United States. America has been split over the removal of these statues. Many Americans have found the Confederate memorials offensive, racist, and endorsing white supremacy, while others see them as mere reminders of our nation’s history. However, the question still stands: Should the Confederate memorials be removed because some Americans find them offensive? This situation has sparked several rallies and even the defacement of statues and public property. In my opinion, the …show more content…
United States should leave the Confederate Civil War memorials and statues where they stand. The Civil War memorials should stay for three main reasons. The majority of Americans think that they should remain where they are, they are a part of our history and our past, and the removal of these statues will do nothing to improve the lives of the Americans who find them offensive. The Confederate Civil War statues should remain where they are because the majority of Americans think that the monuments should stay. According to the website, nypost.com, the PBS NewsHour, NPR, and Marist Poll showed that “…62 percent of Americans think the statues should stay, while just 27 percent believe they should be removed because they’re offensive to some people.” Another websites supports this poll’s results. According to the website, reuters.com, the Reuters/Ipsos poll taken on the same subject found that “…54 percent of adults said Confederate monuments should remain in all public spaces”. These polls both showcase the number of Americans who feel that the monuments should remain standing. While this information is important, it has been brought up in the article by the website, reuters.com, that “Responses to the poll were sharply split along racial and party line, however, with whites and Republicans largely supportive of preservation. Democrats and minorities were more likely to support removal.” This piece of information shows that the subject matter has divided the United States, and this could be an argument for the removal of the statues. However, the statues should remain regardless of this fact because of the United States’ democratic nature. Since the United States is democratic and usually favors with the majority vote, the majority’s standpoint in this matter is important. These polls show that if the removal of the Confederate Civil War statues required a vote, then the majority of American’s would vote in favor of the preservation of the statues. Another reason that the Confederate Civil War statues and monuments should remain where they are is because they are a part of our history and our past, dark or not.
They represent the historical figures of the South during that time period: strategists, leaders, generals, and soldiers who fought to protect their rights as independent states and not slave-owners. If the reason that 27 percent of the country wants the removal is that the statues represent slavery, then the statues should remain for the simple reason that they do not endorse slavery. In an article by the website, dallasnews.com, many Americans sent in letters voicing their opinions on what the Confederate statues mean. According to that website, Brian Baldwin says, “My Northern schooling taught respect for Robert E. Lee’s military skills. That’s how I understand his statue in Lee Park.” Many other Americans agree with Baldwin’s opinion. Another website, denverpost.com, also published letters they were sent by everyday Americans on this subject. In the letter from this website, Bob Mesenbrink says, “They[the statues] were put up in recognition of great, albeit imperfect, leaders of the South, those who served our country well before the Civil war, but who were faithful to their home state.” He goes on to add, “But if these monuments do remind us of slavery, perhaps that is a good thing. Let’s leave them up to remind future generations of the past.” I agree with this argument as it recognizes that …show more content…
many American’s could view the monuments as offensive, but that is not the purpose of them. The monuments should, and do remind most Americans of the military genius of the many leaders of the South. Altogether, the statues memorialize in stone, the people and not the cause of the South. The United States should leave these monuments standing because they remind us of our past and our history. The removal of these statues will do nothing to improve the lives of the Americans who find them offensive.
The monuments have not created racism in America, and are not the reason that white supremacist groups exist. The removal of these monuments would not stop the KKK from holding rallies, recruiting members, and existing. If the statues are torn down, it would have no effect on the high school dropout rate. In an article on the website, nationalreview.com, Deroy Murdock says “…black Americans still would face a national unemployment rate 7.4%...” In this statistic, Murdock provides an argument in defense of the statues. Throughout the article he provides statistics and information that support the theory. Tearing down the Confederate monuments will in no way improve the lives of any person. Beyond the lack of improvement everyone won’t see in their day to day lives, there will be no improvement in the battle against racism and white supremacy. According to the website, nationalreview.com, Kyle Smith, the author, says, “If a statue that has been standing in your city for years suddenly sends you into paroxysms of destructive rage, you are really determined to create a problem for yourself, and you’ll create another problem when it’s gone.” This statement speaks to the argument that the statues are so offensive that people feel the need to vandalize and tear them down. Even if the statues would be torn down in an effort to console those few Americans who find
them offensive, it would do no good. In the event that every Confederate statues and monuments were torn down, a group of Americans would take offense to something else and feel the need to erase it. This has been proved by an article in the website, nationalreview.com. In the article it said, “…a Christopher Columbus statue was taken down after a protest.” This is evidence that people will find anything offensive and that is a problem that no one can solve. The removal of the Confederate statues will not improve the United States, racism, or white supremacy because people will find something else that offends them. The Confederate civil war statues and monuments should remain standing. They should remain because the majority of Americans think that they should. Only 27% of Americans find the statues offensive. Another reason is because they are part of our past and our history; the statues represent the people of the South (not the cause). Lastly, the statues should remain standing because the removal of these statues will not improve the lives of anyone who found them offensive. This topic has caused so many unnecessary problems within the United States that it is time to recognize that the statues are not hurting anyone. The statues should not be torn down. The Confederate memorials should be preserved and remain where they are. Resource Page Fears, Danika and Li, David, (2017, Aug 17), Majority of Americans Want Confederate Monuments to Stay, (2017, Aug 20). Helber, Steve, (2017, Aug 18), What do Confederate Statues Stand For, and Should They Be Removed?, (2017, Aug 20). Kahn, Chris, (2017, Aug 21), A Majority of Americans Want To Preserve Confederate Monuments: Reuters/Ipsos Poll, (2017, Aug 25). Murdock, Deroy, (2017, Aug 24), The Unbearable Lightness of Confederate-Statue Removal, (2017, Aug 25) Ragland, James. (2017, Jul 29), Confederate Memorials: Should Statues Stay, Or Go?, (2017, Aug 20) Smith, Kyle, (2017, Aug 15), Destroying Symbols: Where Does It End?, (2017, Aug 25)
...more overpowering and overwhelming than any general feeling of Southern pride. America has obtained a reputation to be an accepting and open minded country, welcoming all of any race, couture and religion. The Preamble states clearly that America will establish justice and insure domestic tranquility for all. Neither of these entities are accomplished in America as long as the Confederate flag remains raised. Our nation is furthermore divided by racism through a flag that is possibly being used as a degradation tool. This battle with racism has become far too large for American citizens and anything that is viewed as racist in such a manner as the Confederate flag is, should be censored from society, in only a helpful practice. A state flag should be capable of uniting its citizens, instead of dividing them. The Confederate flag should be lowered immediately.
Formed at the eve of the Civil War, the United States (USA) and the Confederate States (CSA) were created for multiple reasons. The main reason of the formation includes that of political issues and slavery issues. Other ideas include the military, economics, etc. The USA was led by President Abraham Lincoln and the CSA was led under President Jefferson Davis. The CSA included the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. The United States and Confederate States can be compared based on their advantages and viewpoints in the fields of how and why they were formed, the rights of the federal and state governments, views on slavery, economic issues, and the military strategies.
The United States Constitution is a national government that consist of citizen’s basic rights and fundamental laws. This document was signed on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia by the majority of representatives. Today, the United States Constitution’s purpose is to supply a strong central government. However, before the United States Constitution was developed, many citizens did not support the constitution due to the fact that they found it contradicting and detached from the original goals of the Declaration of Independence. These citizens were known as anti-federalists. Fortunately, George Washington was a supporter of the constitution and had an enormous impact in the public support of the constitution. With a few adjustments, some
Imagine standing in front of the defaced statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee only to hear two sides of people curse, hurt each other. This situation is too familiar for people who visit Charlottesville, VA, the formerly peaceful town. The controversy between Confederate memorials never ends. Many people argue that Confederate monuments should be taken down because they become the flashpoints of unrest and violence. As far as I am concerned, confederate memorials should remain as these memorials are the legacy of history; history is value-neutral and innocent.
“ The existence of slavery in the United states presented the greatest possible contradiction to the American heritage of liberty and equal right ” In 1830s slavery was so connected with the government and the community that they forgot about liberty. Not everybody agreed with slavery and how it treated African American people ,they had abolitionist and anti slavery activist . Both Abolitionist and Anti slavery activist determined to end slavery. The delegations of powers
Is there a constitutional right to burn the American flag? In Dallas, Texas there was a Republican Party for President Ronald Reagan as a re-nominated candidate for president. But the protesters were not so happy about the policies of the Reagan administration. Through the streets of Dallas protesters marched, causing damage to property. One protester named Gregory Lee Johnson doused an American Flag in kerosene and set it on fire. In Texas, desecrating an American Flag was a criminal offense. Johnson was arrested and charged with violating the Texas flag desecration law, so the U.S Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. We of the Majority opinion believe that there is a conclude that such conduct does not merit First Amendment protection also the flag itself may be used as a symbol, only in one direction which is the country, and it doesn’t matter if the flag has a deeply symbolic value.
“The Confederate Flag: Controversy and Culture.” David Sarratt American Studies University of Virginia. Web. 22 Feb. 2014
I believe people should not be able to take down the Confederate statues.We shouldn't be able to take them down because, it’s apart of our country's history, people lost their lives fighting for what they believe and we don’t want to ignore the fact that our country has flaws and we need to own up to it.
We should not look at the Confederate flag as a emblem of discrimination and prejudice, but as a point that we took the slavery out and put in the liberty and raised it high. Dylan Roof will be loathed against no matter what he does or what he posted on the Internet because of what he did to innocent people. The Confederate flag should be put in the hands of those who know what it actually symbolizes and somebody who wont make any misconceptions. It is a precious part of our history and not something that should be recognized as an
The Confederate flag was used symbolically during the Civil War. To southerner’s, the flag represented a source of southern pride as well as a way of remembering the fallen Confederates. As the Civil War proceeded, the meaning of the flag began to change. Currently, the flag is being used as a symbol for racism. Due to this change in meaning, controversy over the flag has been exponentially growing. Although many would argue the original meaning behind the flag and that it is a symbol of historical culture that should not be forgotten, the flag should be banned due to its representation of racism and the seceding of the states.
Lee, Jefferson Davis, and P.G.T. Beauregard statues were not erected just to honor these men, but are a part of the movement which became known as The Cult of the Lost Cause” (Landrieu 2017). Basically, Mayor Landrieu is emphasizing that the statues put up for those men were put there to honor them and support a cult that wanted slavery and believed that people of color were less than human. During his speech, Mayor Landrieu quotes Alexander Stephens and says “cornerstone rests upon the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery -subordination to the superior race- is his natural and normal condition” (Landrieu 2017). In making this comment Landrieu urges us to realize that the confederate statues are not there to remember the people that fought in the civil war but to honor them. By keeping the statues, the people of New Orleans are reminded every day that thousands of people were sold and bought, they were raped and forced to work. These quotes support the claim because they are both about how the statues are atrocious and how they are on the wrong side of history. Both quotes establish that removing the confederate statues would benefit New Orleans because young children would not have to be exposed to hatred and racism. To the defenders of the confederate statues Mayor Landrieu says “There is a difference between remembrance of history and
This class has affected my understanding of American history through images by teaching the usefulness and power that images have. The first image I picked isn’t an image but the comparison between the Shaw Memorial and Confederate Memorial. I think that comparing the two monuments helps the understanding of American history through images. The differences between the two show the ideals of each side even after the Civil War. Even though the war was over another war started with art. The south used art like the Confederate Memorial by Moses Ezekiel commissioned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to spread the “Lost Cause” ideology. With using art the “Lost Cause” the ideology caught on to a point where groups were forming and textbooks
The Confederate flag has been a prominent representation of Southern culture and heritage. Particularly, the significance of the Confederate flag in my home state of South Carolina is the symbolic representation of Southern states succeeding from the Union because of ideas by Abraham Lincoln that were not ideal to Southerners. The origin of the Confederate flag was during the Civil War when Confederate regiments could not distinguish the Union battle flag of stars and stripes apart from their own. Throughout the progression of the Civil War as southerners became known as Confederates, they began to distance themselves from symbols of the Union and sought a new symbol that represented their “confirmed independence”. The symbol later became the Confederate battle flag. As stated in the Confederate Battle Flag by John Coski, General John Bell Hood states, “To avoid dangerous confusion in action, each regiment will be required to bear the Confederate battle flag” (Coski 13). Confederate regiments were seeking for uniformity by adopting one battle flag to represent the Confederacy not only on the battlefield, but as a separate nation as well. Following the significant amount of blood shed from the Civil War, the Confederate flag did not shy away during Reconstruction. The flag ties in with southern culture because many southerners believe its representation is of their fallen ancestors who fought during the American Civil
On June 28, 2015, an activist by the name of Bree Newsome did something unspeakable; she climbed up the flag pole of the South Carolina state house and removed the wretched Confederate Battle flag that has been swaying in the air since 1961. Many saw this as a social media act for attention, but what I saw was a woman who was desperately trying to get the attention of the ones that can make a difference for a situation that truly needed attention. Although many consider the Confederate Battle Flag to be a symbol of southern pride and heritage, it represents the entirety of southern history, much of which involved slavery and should be taken down; not only from the state capital, but anywhere this symbol of racism stands. The history of this flag has been tainted by slavery and groups like the Ku Klux Klan, which have misrepresented what it means and have created acts of not only violence, but racism and hatred as well. Also, the main purpose of the creating
Red, white and blue, most people think of the American flag, but today I would like to talk about another flag in American history, the confederate flag. This summer after the killing of nine individuals in a historic black church, the Confederate flag was removed from government buildings, markets, and games. EBay, along with Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Sears, will no longer allow items that depict the controversial flag to be sold. Alongside of eBay, the Apple’s App Store has removed all games depicting the Confederate flag. (Swick) Was this an overreaction or was this long overdue? I think that this was, for the most part, an overreaction. I believe that the flag itself is a symbol of southern pride, or remembrance of the war, not to be meant as a hate symbol.