A Phrase Redefined

With all the anger over our current debate about statues, it may be time to take a new look at the way we consider those monuments.

Perhaps it is the way we say "putting one on a pedestal" connotes something not just positive, but revered beyond doubt. Makes one think that the only way to see that figure is through the lens of its enormity. Standing tall anyway, and then boosted as though to say, "This is what and who we cherish."

Well, that ship apparently has sailed for at least a good number of these figures. Understandable, since historical examination has uncovered more than a few ugly aspects, if not at least warts. In many cases, even those of us who grew up, shall we say in an era where multi-dimensional history was not a regular offering, we eventually discovered underbellies of truth.

So, where do we go from here? How do we end the violent removal/destruction of figures without thorough examination?

One strategy would be to leave the statues and affix a full history - good, bad and otherwise - for each presented figure. I don't buy the fact that many people are put off by the figure itself so much so that it will prevent them from seeing the historical explanation. We need to get past that and one way would be to begin teaching history in just that way - unvarnished. We cannot afford to eliminate figures on the basis of their unflattering past.

In fact, let's take that phrase - "putting one on a pedestal" - and turn it into meaning "we will present the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." What that means is that historians and educators need to present all aspects of history. It's an overused phrase -- but, yes, let's make these "teachable moments."

After all, isn't that what we demand to be done for those running for office?. Vet these figures and show America -- in fact the rest of the world -- that we most thoroughly are aware of who we are, what happened in the past and how we want to move forward.