Speaking as a white southerner (born and raised just outside of Charlottesville), a noble gesture in my opinion would be to take down the statues of Confederate leaders whom we now recognize were on the wrong side of history. Rather we should erect what we construe as leaders who are on the right side of history and represent what is truly American. This constitutes soldiers and generals who died defending not rebelling against America; writers and artists who articulated the freedom and ideals of a just not unjust America; explorers and inventors who propelled this great country forward not backward; and educators and marchers who fought to integrate rather than segregate our society.
Many local and national Americans of all ages, colors, and genders are there to choose from. Plus by doing this, we will continue the desirable effort to have teachable public art in our public spaces that recognizes the values we want to instill in our children, and each other, as we go about our daily lives. And it would only be right in celebrating these values to now take down the statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville and, in its place, put up a statue of Heather Heyer, on this same pedestal, who died there defending the rights of all, not just white, Americans. This would be a true and better representative of freedom in today’s age, fitting for Emancipation Park in Charlottesville, which should be copied in other parks in other cities (including our own) on the numerous pedestals that are now available for the heroes of 21st century America.
Richard Dorrier
Alexandria