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@@Cynique I have some idea of why various statues were erected. Of course, it is possible that these statues could have been erected as symbols of defiance. However, I do not have a desire to shatter the figures of their heroes in order that they might ruminate in their resentment from another defeat. I am not looking to rub my hands together while watching them be taken down a peg. I understand that you do not care to change their minds. My point is can we as Black people use the energy that produces our anger over what "they" did to elevate ourselves. I have not advocated tolerance of their ideals. If you see leaving the statues up as a form of tolerance, that is your way of thinking. I'm just saying we ought to erect some symbols, too. Let's focus on our pride. Instead of creating piles of debris and making a mess by smashing statues, let's do something productive, celebrate a Black hero everyday. Show some love to someone everyday. As I write this I had to smile because if my mother was still alive she would be looking at me right now with scorn. Anyhow, great discussion.

Their National Anthem... "And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a Country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." Our National Anthem.... Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast’ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. interesting....

@Elva D. Green Thanks for sharing your thoughts. In response, i would simply request that you and Troy ask yourself why were statues erected and memorials preserved in public venues all over the south? What purpose did they serve? Could it be that they were symbols of defiance? That in spite of the South having lost the Civil War, its descendants were determined to pay homage to the confederate generals and statesmen who fought to preserve a way of life that revolved around the enslavement of black people who were considered inferior to whites? What better way for theses sore losers to send a message than to display visible reminders of what they consider their glorious past? A past that was resurrected through lynchings and Jim Crowism and the racism that still lingers. Why do these ideals deserved to be tolerated, and those who cling to them have to be humored? Who cares whether dismantling these revered monuments changes the minds of die-hards? I don't. Let them ruminate in the resentment that stems from yet another defeat for white supremacy by seeing figures of their heroes shattered. I care about my own people. It's time for black folks to take comfort in a moral victory. IMO.

Del Why do put your motives on other people and say that's how it is. When people here consistently say that's not their experience . Several reasons............... First, with all due respect to you and all of the others on the board, you all and your current experiences DO NOT represent the lifestyle and views of the majority of Black people in America. With the exception of maybe Cynique, you all are highly degreed and for the most part successful professionals, which is good. You've found a way to manuever through this system regardless of it's racism and injustices, which is also good. But unfortunately MOST Black people have not and it is THEIR experiences that actually predominate this society, not yours. Even if you started off poor like Troy, whatever motivated you or him to study and work your way out of poverty DID NOT motivate other Black people of the same potential....which means even what motivates you is different from most. I'm part of that poor and working class which is why my experiences and views don't always line up with yours. Also, because this is the internet and especially this is a board more geared toward authors and others more inclinded toward intellectual pursuits, you're going to get more perspectives from educated Black professionals than from the average poor or working class Black person.

I don't know how to separate out another blogger's opinion other than this way: Troy you stated "Tearing down statues is not going to change the minds of racists". I think you make a good point. I see tolerance as a way toward changing minds. I personally know a young white man whose parents raised him as a white supremacist. When I met him he was about 21. We would see each other from time to time in a discussion group. I watched him change. He came to realize that people were just people. None of them were better than or less than. It was like watching his face light up. That was something he came to realize through contact, through attraction. Through being a part of a group of people who expressed love for their follows. As for me, I seem to be of an opinion that no one else has. In 1998 I went to Manassas, VA. Had no idea where I was. I went to attend job training. Some of the men took me on a tour of the Manassas Battlefield National Park. (The Battle of Bull Run 1861). Stonewall Jackson Monument. They pointed out the hill that the soldiers fought on. After about 1/2 hour I said to them, you know, I'm not really interested in picturing men shooting and stabbing each other, also how come there aren't any statues of Black men here? There must have been some Black men fighting too!! Why are they not represented? Of course my escorts laughed heartily and the tour ended. But I realized that I was not offended by the statue of a white confederate, only that there was nothing to commemorate the Blacks who were a part of this history. Something that I failed to fully grasp at that time was that there was an old worn out, burned out building on those grounds that was at one time the home of a free Black. The house sat right where the battle raged. The Robinson House. It was not burned out in the war. But vandalized in the 1990's. Anyhow one can still visit the site. This site of the house the surrounding property makes up an important part of the battlefield park today. And THAT is what I'm talkin' about. Read about it. I have only this week realized the significance of this house. I am in the process of writing an article (per my publisher) for Huff Post and I am going to write about using our energies to raise awareness of Black progress, rather than using our energies to tear things down. Tearing statues down is not going to erase the reality. Ok, so this is my opinion that I am learning to put out there without fearing what might be thrown back at me. Oops, I forgot. As a child At 66th street school in Los Angeles, I learned to salute the flag and respect the flag. That stuck with me a long time as an American citizen. I know more now as an adult, but I still respect the flag as an emblem of the United States. I wouldn't burn it for instance. I see it as the only flag.

Hey Troy why do you interpret what other people mean and get it so wrong. Pioneer I agree with you 100%.. Yeah despite it all I'm from da Bronx. Troy stop splaining bruh.