Tearing Down the Confederacy

Tearing Down the Confederacy

Why Removing the Confederate Statues Makes Sense

There are different types of monuments and their psychological uses. For the British Empire, the statues of Victoria, seeded throughout the empire from the Bahamas to Malaysia were designed to remind subjects about the Empire. The monuments in the squares of public spaces in America, dedicated to “our sons” that fought in the Revolutionary War, or the Great War or World War II provided solace to hometowns that lost members and still provide a civic touchstone to family lost. And the civic monuments to the sons lost in the Civil War still provide that solace.

Monument to World War I Dead in Milwaukee

However, the great statuary to Confederate Generals and the Confederate States rarely sprung up organically, and definitely not after the war by the survivors’ families. These statues were put up, often in the early 1900s through the 1960s, to remind Black Americans that winning the war didn’t change people’s minds, or America’s laws. These statues were put up to reinforce White southerners place in society, high above non-White semi-citizens.

Detail of Confederate Pller erected in 1908

Right in front of the courthouse, so Black Americans knew they could not get Justice here

They spread far beyond the south (from Arizona to Maine) as Whites wanted to remind Black Americans (and later all Americans of Color) that leaving the south didn’t mean leaving racism.

Given this history, why is removing them considered controversial? Well, aside from a few areas where they were spontaneous dedications to families, these monuments have been redefined by their supporters as a tribute to the “Southern Lifestyle” or “Southern Gentlemen”. Sure there are many racists that still celebrate the power they project over others, but many people have been raised and believe this is why the statues are there at all. For some of them, it is no more controversial than support a college football team or the local basketball team.

This monument - to Confederate Soldiers only - was put up in Phoenix Arizona in 1961!

So for these people, many who are not racist, tearing them down is not about making a statement, but tearing down their history.

The problem then is how to address these statues. Unfortunately, the discussions that started decades ago on dealing with them has been met with a stonewall of anger and defiance. Activists who tried legal processes and community engagement did not bring any changes. In fact, it hardened resolve and the statues stayed. So, now, when the swing of public opinion is finally against them, it is disingenuous to argue for compromise and reinterpretation. Not all statues will be removed right away. But those that stay will now be remembered for slavery, Jim Crow laws and, now, a stunning lack of compassion and empathy towards our own citizens.