The Battle Of Liberty Place Monument

A statue constructed in the name of liberty arose from the expansive Atlantic more than a century ago. The values of equality and justice coupled with the promises of freedom remain immoveable like the cooper medium and the stone foundation of which the statue arises. An icon ingrained it the spirit of the United States, the Statue of Liberty is the physical representation of American ideals. It is the “light of liberty” that illuminates the path for the “tired,” and the “poor,” seeking shelter from the shadows of tyranny and persecution. The statue has been symbol of hope in a better future and a new beginning to immigrants seeking a fresh start. Ideals, along with the symbols that represent them, however are merely man made. And like the

“The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society.” US Representative, John Lewis said this in his return to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial he spoke on 54 years ago, during the March on Washington. Racism has been around since the beginning of time, but it is not human nature. Racism is something that is taught, and given the amount of time that has passed since To Kill A Mockingbird and the March on Washington, one would think that racism wouldn’t be a serious issue any more. Although race relations have improved along with other social issues from the time of To Kill Mockingbird, racism and discrimination are major problems in today’s society.

For people who oppose the removal of Confederate statues, history is said to be their biggest concern. Many believe that “Ultimately, removal of the monuments will, quite literally, erase an unsavory – but important – part of our nation’s history” (Brophy 2015). They fear that by removing these symbols, America would be disregarding a huge part of its past. Yet, history itself would not be destroyed, as the impact of the Civil War lives on; only the tokens of oppression would be removed.

No matter what a person’s race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is, everyone should enjoy equality. In the speech Speech Upon the Removal of Confederate Monuments by Mitch Landrieu, the Mayor of New Orleans, the removal of the Confederate monuments in New Orleans is discussed. The speech emphasises the fact that the Confederacy was wrong pertaining to their treatment of African Americans, and instead of teaching history, the Confederate monuments convey an image of inequality and violence. Mitch Landrieu argues for the deconstruction of historic Confederate monuments through his allusions to past historic events to contrast the modern shift of equality, so he can call the people to action to deconstruct the monuments. Through the

“‘A great nation does not hide its history, it faces its flaws and corrects them.”’ George W. Bush spoke these words at the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Nelson). He said this in hopes of keeping monuments reflecting slavery and segregation standing so people today could learn from mistakes in the past. Most monuments dealing with the topic of slavery are Confederate monuments, but they are causing controversy over their true meaning. Some people believe Confederate monuments are about southern pride, but many think they are symbols of racism (Ingraham). The debate over these monuments has caused violent protests like in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a Robert E. Lee statue was removed. Although Confederate monuments anger many people because of the history behind them, they provide lessons that can be taught to help end racism and make a better country. Confederate monuments and statues need to stay to preserve the history of the United States so it is not repeated, but the meaning to them should be altered to show segregation is immoral.

Yesterday my best friend, Brandon, and i went to the library located on Savannah State’s campus to study for our upcoming final exam. Even though Brandon is a caucasian, people don’t have a negative outlook on our relationship just because i am an African American. It doesn’t make much of a difference to society when we are seen together,considering America symbolizes unity. Must i remind you, it hasn’t always been this way in America. in fact Whites and Blacks weren 't allowed to attend the same school, let alone the same water fountain because of segregation. to many people this situation was looked upon as ridiculous. Why should a person’s skin tone determine where they should be allowed to go? I shouldn’t. This was going on way too long without anything being done about it. Finally someone decided to take the problem to a new extent to bring on change. Brown vs Board of education is one case that still has great significance in history. Not only did it have a huge effect on segregation, but America as well would not be the same. My surroundings would totally change if this case had not been established. Brandon would not be my best friend, and sadly without the desegregation in schools we would have never crossed paths.

Thesis: As the debate continues on whether or not we should keep confederate monuments and symbols displayed publicly, it is important that we recognize both the benefits and downfalls of removing these symbols.

Nearly three centuries ago, black men and women from Africa were brought to America and put into slavery. They were treated more cruelly in the United States than in any other country that had practiced slavery. African Americans didn’t gain their freedom until after the Civil War, nearly one-hundred years later. Even though African Americans were freed and the constitution was amended to guarantee racial equality, they were still not treated the same as whites and were thought of as second class citizens. One man had the right idea on how to change America, Martin Luther King Jr. had the best philosophy for advancing civil rights, he preached nonviolence to express the need for change in America and he united both African Americans

The Civil War continues to be a major talking point today -- a war that was fought over the extension of slavery. In 2017, a contentious conversation continues as the public debates the reasons of the Civil War, whether or not it was about slavery or states’ rights, and the ethics behind having massive monuments commemorating a time of our history that was so divisive. Symbols of the Confederacy, which includes the Confederate flag and monuments depicting leaders of the Confederacy, are seen to be racist and propaganda tools used by white supremacists. However, there are those who believe that these confederate symbols are misleading and leads to the false ideas that the South was patriotic and heroic during the Civil War. Through

Yesterday my best friend, Brandon, and I went to the library located on Savannah State’s campus to study for our upcoming final exam. Even though Brandon is a Caucasian, people don’t have a negative outlook on our relationship just because I am an African American. It doesn’t make much of a difference to society when we are seen together,considering America symbolizes unity. Must I remind you, it hasn’t always been this way in America. in fact, Whites and Blacks weren 't allowed to attend the same school, let alone the same water fountain because of segregation. to many people this situation was looked upon as ridiculous. Why should a person’s skin tone determine where they should be allowed to go? I shouldn’t. This was going on way too long without anything being done about it. Finally someone decided to take the problem to a new extent to bring about change. Brown vs Board of education is one case that still has great significance in history. Not only did it have a huge effect on segregation, but America as well would not be the same. My surroundings would totally change if this case had not been established. Brandon would not be my best friend, and sadly without the desegregation in schools, we would have never crossed paths.

A recent hot-button subject in the media has been what to do with Confederate monuments in the South. After the removal of a statue honoring Robert E. Lee, a general in the Confederate Army considered by many to be a hero for the part he played in the American Civil War, a clear divide has formed over whether it was the right thing to do. Some agree with this choice, calling the statues remnants from a time of racial oppression in the United States. Others are outraged, considering it desecration of their proud history. Still others don't understand either side of the issue, and see it as a pointless feud. It is imperative to understand that to many people, these are more than just statues. Whether their impression is positive or negative, this issue goes beyond physical monuments.

While Stars and Bars have long been associated by many with slavery, the latest campaign to remove Confederate emblems has extended beyond the flag to statues, memorials, parks and even school mascots. The debate over what symbolizes heritage and what stands for hate has never covered so much ground, as efforts to remove icons that have been part of the visual and cultural landscape of the South for decades are a foot at national, state, and local levels. In one Arkansas town, the school board voted unanimously Tuesday to ban the song "Dixie" for the next school year and phase out "Rebel," the school's mascot. "They are part of our history and not all of our history is dandelions and butterflies." - Mick Mulvaney, representative for South Carolina. In Maryland, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is trying to make a plan that would change the name of Baltimore's Robert E. Lee Park. A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings, Blake told The Associated Press she supports the name change and is willing to work with the county to find an appropriate alternative name. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have called for a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader, to be removed from an alcove outside the Senate chambers. The bust, with the words "Confederate States Army" engraved on it, has been at the state Capitol for decades. That bust is part of history, yes that guy may have been racist but that's how times was when slavery was around. It is a part of history so we can’t forget it or we might redo the whole situation over again.(“Debate over the confederate

The Confederate Monuments that are standing are a symbol of our great nations life. These monuments being taken down is solving nothing and doing nothing but causing madness between the American people. These monuments should stay to give people knowledge and teach them of what our state once was and still is. The Monuments of the Confederate soldiers that are scattered across the United States are symbols of freedom in our country. People are declaring that the monuments be taken down or moved because they are “racist.” Simply removing monuments and moving them so they are out of sight is not new. The Inca Empire of South America removed icons of conquered peoples’ gods and held them hostage in a temple in the Incan capital of Cuzco. In our time, the post-Soviet Russian government removed many statues of Lenin and others, which are now in Muzeon Arts Park in Moscow.The thoughts of most American people today are mostly racist thoughts when the conversation of Confederate monuments start up. 70% of the American people think that the Confederate monuments are racist and should be taken down. The people that know it is not racism, should take a stand and fight for our freedom once more.

The confederate era monuments in New Orleans have been a hot topic of debate. People on both sides feel passionately about whether these local historic landmarks should remain standing or be torn down because of the atrocities the men they honor committed well over one hundred years ago. Whether over racial or personal beliefs there are strong motives on either side. As of now the future of the cityscape lays in limbo. Will history prevail over emotion?

The symbols of this great nation are many. The Liberty Bell, Washington Monument, the Bald Eagle, the White House, and the document that is the foundation on which this country is built, the Constitution of the United States. These symbols are immediately recognized by the citizens of the United States and some internationally, however the one symbol that is universally recognized is the Stars and Stripes. It is the symbol of a free nation whose citizens are allowed to strive for the American dream, the ability to achieve success through hard work, regardless of race, creed, or religious beliefs. Such a symbol should be held sacred and beyond reproach. Defacing the White House, harming a Bald Eagle, or burning the Constitution are considered felony offenses, however desecrating the American Flag is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Standing on, defacing, and burning of the flag by U.S. citizens only creates public unrest and should not be allowed.