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- Oct 13, 2006
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I was in a hurry.
On topic, I disagree with the teachers but I don't disagree with having the discussion. Let's reach a consensus about when such an action is appropriate and when it's not, whether to remove things like statues to museums or leave them on public display, whether to change memorials, honorifics, etc, because of the opinions of future generations.
I'm not convinced there's merit in the teachers' arguments, but I'm not convinced they're wrong either. A rancorous OP invited rancorous responses like my first post ITT, but if there wasn't such a huge over-reaction by opponents, it would be easier to have an intelligent discussion about the issue. To wit, renaming buildings and shit like that is a different level of who gives a fuck compared to purpose built monuments dedicated to an individual because the latter are generally considered works of art. (But what I don't get is any opposition to moving them to museums where possible if there is general agreement that public display is inappropriate.)
Sticking to just the names of, in this case, schools, but buildings in general, to me renaming them just isn't that big a deal and it seems to me as well that it happens all the time. On the other hand, Sir John A was literally the face of a nation for so long, it seems foolhardy to try to erase him now. There's a craft beer in my city named after him FFS.
The discussion still needs to be had and it shouldn't be limited to whining like I see in here all the time.
What discussion can be had with people who take it as an article of faith that white men are the source of everyone else's problems?
I would be happy to talk with someone about the good and bad of history as long as their starting assumption is not that I am a co-conspirator in historical evil.