The Regressive Left Is Coming...

Edited on 05-13-2018: Grammatically and Readability

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"The Regressive Left", is real.

I don't give as much attention to this particular section of, "The Left" because they aren't an imminent threat.

What is an imminent threat, is the insurgence of revisionist history from, "The Right".

After the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, a strange narrative of "erasing America's history" started emanating from, "The Right".

There are so many layers to this particular narrative, I couldn't resist examining each one and trying to make sense of it all.

The events in Charlottesville occurred in response to the scheduled removal of a Confederate Statue.

The Statue features General Robert E. Lee riding his horse, Traveller.

During 2017's "Unite The Right" rally, a group consisting of White Supremacists, White Nationalists, Ku Klux Klan members, Neo-Confederates, Neo-Nazis, and various militias protested the removal of the statue.

There were flags donning the Nazi Swastika present. The first example of irony.

How can someone claim to be against destroying pieces of history, while standing in front of a Nazi Swastika?

For anyone unaware of the full scope of the Holocaust and the Nazi agenda.

If any of these aforementioned groups were interested in preserving history, why aren't they connected with any historical conservatories? Why haven't they created their own through crowdfunding or other means?

Much like how I question the motives of the NRA, I feel these groups are missing out on opportunities to achieve their goal, without all the hatred, violence, and ignorance.

For anyone who simply self-identifies as being on, "The Right", how does the "Unite The Right" rally in response to the statue's removal exemplify the Republican Party's belief in small government?

The story of the Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville involves elected officials of Charlottesville, the City Council, a special committee, and citizens, who all voiced their concerns about the statue and held votes determining it was the course of action they wanted to carry out.

Wes Bellamy, theVice-Mayor of Charlottesville, said the statue's presence "disrespected" parts of the community, and, "We can't have that in the city of Charlottesville.".

In April 2016, Charlottesville City Council appointed a special commission for recommendations.

The Commission's recommendations included other statues and Confederate Monuments in the Charlottesville area.

In November 2016, the Commission voted to keep two statues in their current locations. A statue of Stonewall Jackson in Court Square and the Robert E. Lee statue located in then named, Lee Park.

On November 28, 2016, the same Commission voted 7 - 2 to remove the Robert E. Lee statue, relocating it to McIntire Park and 8 - 1 to keep the Stonewall Jackson statue in place, delivering their final report with these recommendations to Charlottesville City Council in December 2016.

On February 6, 2017, the City Council voted 3 - 2 in favor of relocating the Robert E. Lee statue. They also voted, 5 - 0 to rename Lee Park, now known as Emancipation Park.

Lawsuits were filed in response.

Plaintiffs included the Monument Fund Inc., the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and descendants of the statue's donor and sculptor.

In response, an injunction was filed and the City Council then voted 3 - 2 to have the Robert E. Lee statue to be completely removed from Charlottesville and sold to whoever the Council chose.

To recap:

• Two Confederate Monument Statues were initially recommended by a specially created Commission to remain intact and in their current locations.
• The Commission then recommended relocating only one statue.
• A few months later, the City Council decided to relocate the Robert E. Lee statue and rename Lee Park. 
• Lawsuits were filed and essentially dismissed on the basis of timing and perspective relative to the Civil War. 
• Another set of injunctions were filed and the City Council responded with a full statue removal and sale. 

The response to these actions? The "Unite The Right" rally, which, ended in a domestic terrorist attack, killing one person, and injuring 19 others. 

Beyond joining forces with the wrong groups, and situational political ideology, what about removing a statue from public view erases history?

The painting below by Johannes Adam Simon Oertel depicts a statue of King George the Third about to be pulled down.

Where did this event take place?

In America. Manhattan, New York circa 1776. Five days after the Declaration of Independence was ratified.

Does anyone from, "The Right" dare question the validity of historical preservation in regards to this statue and its overall significance? 

How about this statue of Christopher Columbus? 

Carefully think about this one.

This statue was located in Caracas, Venezuela. An area Christopher Columbus claimed in the name of Spain, colonized for years, enslaved the indigenous people, made them collect pearl oysters, and the pearls inside. One of the largest economic boons for the Spanish Empire in the Americas.

Probably not the exact same American hero commonly read about in school's history books.

Here's an easier example.

The infamous statue of Saddam Hussein brought down by US Marines, and drug through Baghdad's Firdos Square during "Operation Enduring Freedom".

Any President George W. Bush supporting, Pro-Gun, Pro-Military member of, "The Right" object to this statue's demise?

Regardless of your thoughts and ideologies, one thing is for sure.

Statues and memorials aren't forever.

To those who would now try to say, "Well, it's about the overall context of certain events.".

Really?

I think it's a matter of perspective.

For example, the recently opened National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which, showcases the history of lynching throughout the Jim Crow Era in a truly direct way.

There's also The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Center for Civil and Human Rights, and a lot of the listed 8 Must-See Monuments and Memorials on the National Mall, also have horrible historical acts put front and center. Not allowing you to think past the context or overall perspective of their events if you've ever had the honor of seeing them in person.   

If you're going to make a statement on history with a statue, make sure the impression it intends to make is a lasting one.