Are You Willing To Help Save Our Statues?

[Spungle]

History is history, the good and the bad, it cannot be changed by erasing anything that depicts the reality of that time, wether it be a film, a painting, a statue.

We must protect our British history and heritage, we cannot let it be torn down, dumped in rivers or removed and hidden. Our British history is rich and inspiring, we have a lot to be proud of, and for the bits that were bad, we can learn from.

We are seeing a minority group of extremists trying to remove our monuments and statues. Many of them do not even know who these historical figures are and have no idea why they want them removed, they are just acting like sheep, jumping on the bandwagon of hate.

The Robert Milligan statue in East London has already been removed without the consultation of the public and the Edward Colston statue in Bristol was torn down and thrown in the harbour despite the fact this went directly against the council's decision and so was in fact a criminal act, however Avon and Somerset Police said a they decided not to intervene.

We are living in a democratic nation with a Tory government yet we are being dictated to by the likes of Sadiq Khan and far-left extremists and communist movements. We should not be dictated to, these people, and they are a minority, should not be the only ones to have a voice, the media and social media is completely biased and enough is enough.

I feel lucky to have been born in Britain, I am proud to be British and I want to protect the statues, monuments and art that shape the landscape of our great nation, they tell the stories of the past, they should be preserved, so please, join me in asking the government to intervene and to not allow our history and heritage be taken away from us.

https://www.change.org/p/to-the-government-save-british-monuments-and-statues

[pixie374]

It isn't being. Statues are statues, for commemoration and celebrating. They don't change history. It isn't "democracy" unless there was a vote about them being put up in the first place.
History is history, truth is truth- but what we choose to celebrate, is a choice.

[Atheist]

I doubt if there was much consultation when they were erected. History, if worthy of the name, is a record of what happened, not some hagiograph. If you don't like the way history is going, then get over it.

[Jackdaw33]

You are preaching to the converted. I agree entirely.

[Atheist]

Sorry, Pix; you put it better than me.

[Atheist]

Spungle; what have you ever done to make you proud of being British? Do you mean that you are proud of what people in the olden days did?

[pixie374]

Spungle, your whole post is a quote.

[pixie374]

No problem, atheist x put all statues into museums, where they belong.

[Atheist]

Pixie, I think that statues are usually erected with a bit of good will from the population, and if the population decides they are not popular, then they can be removed. If people walk round with t-shirts displaying their political views, they can't expect that those views will always be respected, and they can't object if in the future they are pressured into removing those chest displays.

[Mamyalynne]

I'll chain myself to Disraeli on Primrose Day.

[Atheist]

Spungle; just supposing that Oswald Mosley had been successful and supported Hitler and that statues of them both were erected in the UK, and then that later Churchill had led an uprising and driven them out. Do you think we should have kept the statues because they were 'history'?

[pixie374]

I'm sure they are at the time, atheist- but not democratically... I wouldn't remove individual "chest displays"- each to their own. But that is different from public celebration and acceptance.

[Theland]

I signed.

[pixie374]

Why theland?

[Atheist]

Pixie, I wouldn't remove chest displays, but I would expect them to be voluntarily removed if they were widely unpopular or out of favour. Most people probably prefer not to be seen wearing old-fashioned stuff. Sorry, I'm not very incisive tonight.

[pixie374]

No need to apologise x I don't think different views should be a problem for individuals. But when it comes to history and public views... you need to not exclude the public.
You disappoint me slightly lol, as generally (excepting naomi, sometimes) these views of the past being halcyon, nearly always come from straight, white males... from when they were kings. (Maybe you aren't, I don't care). But there is no apparent care or thought that the majority of the population are trying to progress from the 17th century.
Anything we have learnt from, or achieved, we will bring with us. But, please, let us move on!

[Spungle]

My post is a quote lifted from the page. I fully agree with it, and if you agree, please sign. If you don't fine. I am sick of seeing our heritage destroyed by ignorant minorities. Someone asks what I have done to be proud of being British. It isnt anything to do with me or my actions, as I said I count myself lucky to have been born here and am proud of our heritage, values, and what has made our country great. I find it sad that people think mobs should be allowed to desecrate our public spaces and get away with it.

[pixie374]

I totally don't. But your BA shows conversation was pointless :-)

[Spungle]

Atheist, yes, personally I wouldn't like to see Mosley statues. There arent any, of course, as his actions did nothing to make our country a better place. There are statues in Britain which I dont personally like, but that doesnt mean I would want people to go out and desecrate them. Imagine if the statue of Mandela in Parliament Square was ripped off and dumped in the Thames. We simply cannot allow anarchists to get their way in Britain. Its not how we do things.

[Spungle]

Completely agree, Pixie. Pointless to have a conversation with a baying mob desecrating our city centres.

[Theland]

Mob rule is wrong. And Khan is wrong.