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University of Texas' Confederate Statues Relocated

posted by FatPhil on Tuesday August 22 2017, @04:37PM   
from the we-could-tar-and-feather-them dept.

An Anonymous Coward has forwarded the following story:

The President of the University of Texas at Austin released a letter regarding the removal of statues on the campus.

[...] The University of Texas at Austin is a public educational and research institution, first and foremost. The historical and cultural significance of the Confederate statues on our campus — and the connections that individuals have with them — are severely compromised by what they symbolize. Erected during the period of Jim Crow laws and segregation, the statues represent the subjugation of African Americans. That remains true today for white supremacists who use them to symbolize hatred and bigotry.

The University of Texas at Austin has a duty to preserve and study history. But our duty also compels us to acknowledge that those parts of our history that run counter to the university's core values, the values of our state and the enduring values of our nation do not belong on pedestals in the heart of the Forty Acres.

The issue isn't a new one, they first looked into the issue in 2015, and had a wide range of options including effectively turning the mall into an open air museum, which they eventually decided against. Should the statues be relocated from their historical context just because of the attitudes and behaviour of noisy minorities? (Your humble editor cannot forget the local riots when a historical but hostile-themed statue was relocated.)

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Original Submission

• Those who cannot remember the past are condemned.. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned.. (Score: 2) by stretch611 on Wednesday August 23 2017, @02:23AM (1 child)

  by stretch611 (6199) on Wednesday August 23 2017, @02:23AM (#557819)

  Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana [wikiquote.org]

  The ignorant among us are crying for the rest of us to stay as stupid as they are. Believe it or not, but Robert E Lee [wikipedia.org] was a national hero. He did a lot more for this country then just the civil war. He was instrumental in several American victories in the Mexican - American war. He was Superintendent of West Point as well. While there is much debate as to whether or not he supported slavery, he only became a slave owner when his father-in-law passed away and he was in charge of the estate.

  In his public statements and private correspondence, Lee argued that a tone of reconciliation and patience would further the interests of white Southerners better than hotheaded antagonism to federal authority or the use of violence. Lee repeatedly expelled white students from Washington College for violent attacks on local black men, and publicly urged obedience to the authorities and respect for law and order. In 1869–70 he was a leader in successful efforts to establish state-funded schools for blacks. He privately chastised fellow ex-Confederates such as Jefferson Davis and Jubal Early for their frequent, angry responses to perceived Northern insults, writing in private to them as he had written to a magazine editor in 1865, that "It should be the object of all to avoid controversy, to allay passion, give full scope to reason and to every kindly feeling. By doing this and encouraging our citizens to engage in the duties of life with all their heart and mind, with a determination not to be turned aside by thoughts of the past and fears of the future, our country will not only be restored in material prosperity, but will be advanced in science, in virtue and in religion."

  Hardly a man that should be considered a racist... especially considering the attitudes back then.

  Even if there weren't noteworthy events other than the civil war for a statue/monument, it should still stay in public view. How else are people going to learn? We need to know about the civil war in order to never let it happen again. If every item is removed from display we are doing ourselves and our children a disservice. Who will learn about the events if there is nothing to remind us about them?

  Germany has banned [wikipedia.org] "use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations" outside of the contexts of "art or science, research or teaching".
  And guess what, racism and neo-nazis still exist and cause problems in Germany. Clearly removing statues and confederate flags does not solve the problem... but, education does solve it. Its so bad that they want to change/remove the engraving on Stone Mountain [wikipedia.org] here in Georgia.

  If every possible symbol is banned that inspire bigots and fascists, they will just find a new symbol. Actually, one of the most noted neo-nazi symbols, the Swastika [wikipedia.org] is a religious symbol of Buddhists and Hindus. Once again, those who fail to learn only think of the negative.

  The ideas of free speech do not apply if you can choose which speech is allowed in public areas. And if it offends you, make a counter point... have a statue or memorial created to share an opposing view. The right of free speech is highly valued; but remember, there is no right to not be offended. And if there was a right to never be offended, there would be nothing left in this world.

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  Now with 5 covid vaccine shots/boosters altering my DNA :P

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• Re:Those who cannot remember the past are condemne (Score: 2) by Eristone on Wednesday August 23 2017, @01:37PM

  by Eristone (4775) on Wednesday August 23 2017, @01:37PM (#557990)

  and the Ministry of Magic should have a statue of Voldemort in the main fountain, because he did great things. Terrible things, but great things. And we wouldn't want the mudbloods to forget that Voldemort and the Death Eaters wanted them purged from life. That would be erasing history and if we do that, they will be doomed to follow that path of subjugation and death again, would they not?

  Parent