jim360 - // There is a clear gulf between statues celebrating people who, perhaps, should not be so celebrated, and between the buildings their ill-gotten gains have provided. // Actually, there isn't, quite the opposite in fact. If you start analysing philanthropy based on the income source, where on earth do you stop? Are you going to say that millowners...
What's this obsession with Mandela's terrorism, given that he was quite important in overturning the horrific apartheid policy? Such a blatantly racist law and social system deserved to be challenged strongly.
As to the statues, what matters -- and what was lacking in Bristol -- is societal consent. If a review leads to proposals to remove such-and-such a statue then, hopefully, the citizens too will be consulted. In either case, a more honest appraisal of our past can hardly be welcome. We're constantly assured that removing statues is an erasure of history, which rings a lot more hollow if those raising this protest are determined to ignore a significant chunk of it.
"All statues in London will be examined with a view to removing those with links to slavery and plantation owners, Sadiq Khan has said."
Unsure I see much public consultation there. In fact I'm of the opinion councils avoid consultation, or ignore it's outcome if they don't like it, as an affront to their control.
By removing statues, is that not a prime example of trying to ignore history ? Removsl of evidence. Denial at it's crystal clearest.
I'd argue that calling apartheid "racism" is an understatement and then some. Every aspect of a non-white South African's life was proscribed, every human freedom curtailed. There could be no democratic solution if the affected populace was denied the right to vote. That provides an important context, does it not?
Jim, 16:03, ironic that the end of Apartheid was gifted the nation by a white man. FW DeKlerk agreed to dissolve the state knowing he would be deposed, that's a courageous thing to do. Now look at the state of it. Most South Africans are a lot worse off than ever before.
What comes after they've removed the statues they don't like? Paintings, books, films, photographs, ancient maps, everything connected with slavery? Is this the start of whitewashing history?
Something I wasn't previously aware if: Francis Drake was on the ship that marked Britain's first involvement in the slave trade. Make of that what you will.
// Now look at the state of it. Most South Africans are a lot worse off than ever before. //
In the sense of not being able to vote, not being able to live where they choose, marry whom they choose, go where they choose and so on? There is no doubt a long way to go to overcome the high homicide rate, and other factors, but a democratic country facing serious challenges is still preferable to a racist state.
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