Letter: Historical context needed in statue debate
It is with some bemusement and annoyance that I watch the debates about removing statues celebrating slavery defending civil war generals (I was going to say traitors, but you get the idea). Imagine my surprise when researching Margaret Sanger, founder of what has become Planned Parenthood, that I read that 25 House Republicans campaigned to have her bust removed from the National Portrait Gallery. See http://time.com/4081760/margaret-sanger-history-eugenics/
The same Ted Cruz who has defended Confederate statues was named as one of those being behind this initiative. So, I wonder why he was so intent on erasing history then, but against it now. Oh, yeah, Republican hypocrisy.
These statues are not about history, they are about who we honor in our public spaces. If localities choose, they should be able to remove them. Put them in a sculpture garden with accurate historical information to provide context. As far as Lee Blvd. goes, I don’t have a problem with it remaining, but the description plaque should provide a better historical context.
Jerry Lewis, Kennewick
This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Letter: Historical context needed in statue debate."