re: Last man standing. Robert E Lee will be taken down Friday

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In a sense, the world you describe in your posts is one where only the victors are allowed to write the history books. In this case, though, we live in America. And for years and years people have fought for free speech, free press, and free expression rights. Organizations exist today to ensure American civil liberties. But now we are erasing historical figures from public view because we don't like what they stood for 150 years ago? That is decidedly un-American. I am not sure how someone could claim to be in favor of free speech, yet also favor the censoring of historical figures from public view.

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that's the world we live in. a world where the dominant religion is the religion that won out. it's not that hard to see.

the american history we learn in is slanted towards the american narrative. also not hard to see. it is the same in all countries around the world. do you think china teaches history the same way we do here?

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Didn't many of the forefathers of this country own slaves? Should we tear down monuments to Washington, Jefferson, etc?

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no. why would we? it was legal. they were presidents of the U.S. we live in the U.S.

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What exactly is the reason to take this action? Instead of people needing to argue why they shouldn't be taken down, shouldn't there be a legitimate reason to take them down in the first place? What is the expected benefit? What is the actual harm done by keeping them up?

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i'm not arguing for taking them down. in my opinion they should be left up, with strong historical language educating the populace as to why they are there, as much education about the merits of the person the monument is memorializing and why the battles were important.

BUT, it's also reasonably clear that growing up in the south people have a fun but historical fondness for their rebellion. and part of the reconciliation has to do with the north patting the south on its head and saying, "it's okay little brother. you fought hard. you can keep your toys and trophies".

and that though these historical figures have become embedded as parts of "history" post civil war in communities throughout the south into the present, in most cases historically, this would not be allowed or encouraged. therefore, it's not really that big a deal that they're being taken down.

are you an american? if you're an american, the robert e. lee statue represents a tactical genius commander responsible for the death of millions of americans and the near dissolution of the country within which you still live.

so the question is are you a southerner or are you an american?

also, states rights. taxation. civil war was still about slaves.