Taking down statutes is undoubtedly removing a reminder of our history as a nation. The purpose of historical statutes is to memorialize for future generations the importance of a person, moment, or event.
It is important to remember our past, our heritage, where we have come from as a nation. Around 150 years ago, we were a nation that was divided, but no more. We are a nation of United States, not divided states. I propose a fund be started to replace those statutes that remind us of our history of division and replace those statutes with reminders of our unification.
Instead of removing a statute of Robert E. Lee, add a statute of Ulysses S. Grant allowing Lee to keep his sword after surrender. Instead of removing a statute of Jefferson Davis we add to the statute that he was pardoned on Christmas day in 1868, and that he truly believed he had the right under our constitution to secede and he was forgiven for that misguided belief. Instead of pushing those that want to promote misguided ideas to the side we should embrace them and let them know we as a nation of individuals forgive and accept those who have erred.
That is the history I want to leave for the future.
Matthew R. Walker
Everett
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