After the events in Charlottesville last week, and the multitude of Confederate statues that were taken down afterwards, we asked our community to provide us with their thoughts on the removal of Confederate statues and whether they agreed with it or not. Here’s what the Greenville community responded with:
- Regarding the removal of Confederate leader status.....we cannot change history, but we can learn from the ideologies of the past, and use them as a reminder to make the necessary changes for a better future. We are where we are today because of those who came before us......so what do we need to do to make this world a better place? - Amy Moore
- Isn’t the reason we studied history in school because history has a way of repeating itself. While history cannot be changed, we can learn from the mistakes of the past. I’m Native American Indian so I think I can safely say that certain groups of peoples seem to enjoy bringing up the history of their mistreated ancestors. That would be a good place to start tearing down the walls that separate us and move forward toward the things that unite us as Americans. - Maria Rainwater
- This is a response to the statue conversation: I think there’s an important distinction between remembering history and honoring it. Removing the statues clearly wouldn’t change history, as some use as a reason the statues should remain. No one is going to forget the civil war, just like they won’t forget the horrors of the time leading up to it, or the time following it. Wanting to continue to memorialize these leaders and events in a way that deems them worthy of respect and glorious remembrance, that claims they’re representative of beliefs and principles that should be honored, is not only inhuman and disgraceful, but also proof that we are not as far from the time period when these statues were first erected as we thought. It’s time for political leaders from all parties to step up and be the leaders we need them to be. Leaders for all citizens--not just the white ones. - Emily Meeks
- We should take down the Confederate statues, no question. Put them in a museum. - Andy Cashin
If you share these opinions or have an opinion of your own, please leave it in the comments below, or send it over to us directly at hello@gvltoday.com
Thank you for being a part of the conversation.
– GVLtoday team
