From our Friend, Cain Burdeau, Associated Press
Backlash against a plan to remove prominent Confederate monuments in New Orleans has been tinged by death threats, intimidation and even what may have been the torching of a contractor's Lamborghini.
For now, at least, things have gotten so nasty the city hasn't found a contractor willing to bear the risk of tearing down the monuments. The city doesn't have its own equipment to move them and is now in talks to find a company, even discussing doing the work at night to avoid further tumult. Further complicating the issue was a court ruling Friday that effectively put the removal on hold.
Initially, it appeared the monuments would be removed quickly after the majority black City Council on Dec. 17 voted 6-1 to approve the mayor's plan to take them down. The monuments, including towering figures of Gens. Robert E. Lee and P.G.T. Beauregard, have long been viewed by many here as symbols of racism and white supremacy.
We can destroy all of the monuments that exist but we will never destroy the memory of racism until we embrace the past. These statues are viewed by those who want them to remain as symbols of their heritage, not of the racism, but the good in the people the monuments represent.
All people no matter what color have been discriminated against at one time or another in their history. No one is exempt! We should not allow our past to define the weakness in our future but derive strength from it!
No comments:
Post a Comment
You can leave any comment you want, but no vulgar language and no personal attacks.