In recent years the issue of historic monuments that by their very existence appear to be glorifying controversial eras of imperialism, colonialism and slave trading, has become a political hot potato.

You can watch more about the issue of race and power here and colonial power here.

The latest Rasmussen Reports (June 2020) national telephone and online survey finds that 75% of Likely U.S. Voters do not believe that Mount Rushmore should be closed or changed because two of the four presidents it honors – George Washington and Thomas Jefferson - were slave owners. Seventeen percent (17%) believe the iconic memorial in South Dakota should be closed or changed. 

But this compares to 90% who opposed closing or changing Mount Rushmore when Rasmussen Reports first asked this question three years ago. 

Trump warned in June 2020 that anyone caught damaging historic monuments in the US would face severe consequences. 

Boris Johnson expressed opposition to removing a statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oxford University. Speaking to the Evening Standard in June 2020, the prime minister said he did not agree with the decision of Oriel College to take down its statue of the Victorian imperialist, as he was “in favour of people understanding our past with all its imperfections”.

Johnson said: “I want to build people up, not tear people down. If we go around trying to Bowdlerise or edit our history in this way, it’s like some politician sneakily trying to change his Wikipedia entry.”

In June 2020, the now infamous statue of the 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston loomed over the centre of Bristol, as it had for 125 years. Today Colston lies flat on his back across a bed of wooden pallets on the concrete floor of a council lock-up. His fall to earth, and his rough journey across the asphalt to Bristol harbour, into which he was thrown, have left their marks. Colston is now covered in scrapes and scratches (see image above). There’s a hole in his left buttock and his walking stick is missing. The Black Lives Matter protesters who toppled Colston also spray-painted his hands and face bright red, signifying the blood of his victims.

Take a look at this discussion about this issue and read the articles about controversial statues attached to this post above. Re-visit the video lesson on race and power and political power for wider context. You may be interested in this short video about controversy surrounding the equestrian statue of Theodore Roosevelt.

What do you think about this issue? Should statues or monuments with direct links to controversial issues be removed? Is this erasing history? How would you or do you feel when you see a statue that appears to glorify an individual linked to the oppression and persecution of a group of people or your ancestors? Is this just mob rule? Are acts that deface statues criminal or justifiable? Is this a war on History? Is this simply mindless and ill-informed violence? Should all statues be protected by the state at a cost to the tax payer?