Letter to the Editor: What should we do with historical statues in public places?

OPINION — There is currently a passionate debate going on over the removal of historical statues from public places. After considering both sides of this issue I feel there’s a fairly simple, common sense solution to guide our decision making.

When a statue is located in a place of honor, like a public park or in front of a government building, we need to assess why the person is being so honored.

In the case of Washington or Jefferson, although they were slave holders, we are not honoring them for this reason but for their invaluable contributions to starting our country. However, why would we honor a general of the Confederacy, a group of states which succeeded from the US and fought a war against it.

These statues have a legitimate place as art and history but not in a place of honor. That said, the rule of law must be followed and mobs should not be allowed to destroy them. The police need to do their jobs.

Peaceful protests and political discussion should get our leaders to see this and legally move these statues to places where they can be viewed for their historical and artistic value by those who choose to do so.

Written by MARK S. BOROWIAK, Hurricane, Utah.

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