Keeping Your Perspective in These Monumental Moments
When I read the news that officials in Sacramento were removing the Statue of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella, that has been in the Capitol since 1883, I had to wonder where do we draw the line with historical monuments and our history as a nation?
Remove the monuments of imperialists, conquerers, those who oppressed others. Tear down The White House and any other federal building built by the hands of slaves. Close Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mount Vernon. Tear them down! Remove from the public square the statues to victories where millions were killed or injured. Stop elevating the senseless acts of violence that shaped our country and point to moments in our history.
Remove it all.
Well that is one vision from a rising imperialist view point being carried by the media. As an observer and someone who takes students to these places annually on the East Coast, I can assure you that we do not sugarcoat the facts, we don't hide that George Washington was a slave owner or that Thomas Jefferson had children with his slave Sally Hemings. We do not protect or profess that our founding fathers were perfect.
We are living in a time of change, where a heightened sense of fear has been elevated and strengthened by lengthy shelter in place orders. We have all experienced the strange feelings that accompany overreach of the government, liberties being taken away, and freedom seems to be retreating. We witness protests, anger, and violence being showcased. We feel the unrest in the country and the authorities are being told by politicians to step back as people exercise their constitutional rights.
Does that really include looting and burning?
Well, if history is any indicator of future progress, we will come through all of this stronger, more aligned, and more appreciative of our American home. Sure the fabric looks like it is tearing, and old patchwork is coming loose, yet the reliability and resilience of my fellow American's is unwavering. I know for certain that dialog begets understanding, and listening begets empathy, and truth has a way of correcting hearts and minds.
Don't let your hearts be troubled... Get up tomorrow and start believing that today is a great day to make your piece of the world a better place. And guess what, if you do a really great job that statue they erect someday in your honor just might survive the next uprising in 2092.