Good intentions or not, I don't care. The Equal Justice Initiative estimates 4,084 lynchings in America between 1877 and 1950 (one listing has it at 4,440). The placement and meaning of this plaque at West Point will probably be dismissed as murky and unfortunate by some; however, this depends on the lens you're viewing history. I was a young child in the late 1950's - early '60's and remember my friends and I loving to play act from popular tv shows at the time: Jim Bowie, Davey Crockett, The Alamo, etc. only to find out years later the true history of these people/events. As James Baldwin once said: "As a child, you're rooting for the cowboys only to find out later that you're the Indian". This plaque may seem unfortunate by some, but slightly heartbreaking to those of us who are tired of those dismissive of the manipulation of historical facts. That plaque is there, that's a fact; intentions are feelings, not facts.
Thanks for the comment, Gary. As a historian, I believe that the intentions of the artist and the broader historical context are entirely relevant in the process of thinking through whether a piece of commemorative art should be removed, relocated, revised, etc.
Just take it down. Who cares where it came from. But I’m sure many people were not happy with it being there. Just take it down and ship it to the nearest smelter.
Thanks for the comment, but I respectfully disagree. Its history matters a great deal. The school may decide to remove it, but there is absolutely no reason to destroy it. There are so many other possibilities. Destruction is the easy way out here.
I’ve heard the KKK outfit was made to look like a ghost of a confederate soldier designed to intimidate African-Americans. I mean the cruelty is sadistic. It was the image of Jim Crow and used quite blatantly to advance white supremacy. Where would you like it to be?
Kevin-thanks for your post and I agree with your goal of clarifying the historical record rather then allowing gratuitous rhetoric to proliferate unchecked.
The commission studying re naming of military sites is the one addressing this problem ( or not). It was beyond scope of authority supposedly to do anything according to long time CNN Pentagon reporter.
One member of the commission was Ty Seidule long time Historian at West Point and author of RE Lee and Me, recent best seller (great book). Im not buying anything historically “good” about Clan warranting keeping reference.
Just to clarify, I am not that interested in whether the relief remains or is removed. That is ultimately the decision of the West Point community. As the report indicates, this particular asset did not fall under the purview of the commission's mandate.
My primary concern is that we at least get the story straight before we draw conclusions about what it says about the history of West Point.
No disagreement, Michael. If removed it should remain in the school's archives and made available to faculty, students, and researchers who want to learn more. It could also be included in a museum exhibit.
It is definitely something that needs further investigation. I agree in that vain it should be saved and cataloged. You make a good point. I’m thinking of the study of anthropology. It is a very interesting thing to see no doubt.
Good intentions or not, I don't care. The Equal Justice Initiative estimates 4,084 lynchings in America between 1877 and 1950 (one listing has it at 4,440). The placement and meaning of this plaque at West Point will probably be dismissed as murky and unfortunate by some; however, this depends on the lens you're viewing history. I was a young child in the late 1950's - early '60's and remember my friends and I loving to play act from popular tv shows at the time: Jim Bowie, Davey Crockett, The Alamo, etc. only to find out years later the true history of these people/events. As James Baldwin once said: "As a child, you're rooting for the cowboys only to find out later that you're the Indian". This plaque may seem unfortunate by some, but slightly heartbreaking to those of us who are tired of those dismissive of the manipulation of historical facts. That plaque is there, that's a fact; intentions are feelings, not facts.
Thanks for the comment, Gary. As a historian, I believe that the intentions of the artist and the broader historical context are entirely relevant in the process of thinking through whether a piece of commemorative art should be removed, relocated, revised, etc.
Just take it down. Who cares where it came from. But I’m sure many people were not happy with it being there. Just take it down and ship it to the nearest smelter.
Thanks for the comment, but I respectfully disagree. Its history matters a great deal. The school may decide to remove it, but there is absolutely no reason to destroy it. There are so many other possibilities. Destruction is the easy way out here.
I’ve heard the KKK outfit was made to look like a ghost of a confederate soldier designed to intimidate African-Americans. I mean the cruelty is sadistic. It was the image of Jim Crow and used quite blatantly to advance white supremacy. Where would you like it to be?
Kevin-thanks for your post and I agree with your goal of clarifying the historical record rather then allowing gratuitous rhetoric to proliferate unchecked.
The commission studying re naming of military sites is the one addressing this problem ( or not). It was beyond scope of authority supposedly to do anything according to long time CNN Pentagon reporter.
One member of the commission was Ty Seidule long time Historian at West Point and author of RE Lee and Me, recent best seller (great book). Im not buying anything historically “good” about Clan warranting keeping reference.
Just to clarify, I am not that interested in whether the relief remains or is removed. That is ultimately the decision of the West Point community. As the report indicates, this particular asset did not fall under the purview of the commission's mandate.
My primary concern is that we at least get the story straight before we draw conclusions about what it says about the history of West Point.
No disagreement, Michael. If removed it should remain in the school's archives and made available to faculty, students, and researchers who want to learn more. It could also be included in a museum exhibit.
It is definitely something that needs further investigation. I agree in that vain it should be saved and cataloged. You make a good point. I’m thinking of the study of anthropology. It is a very interesting thing to see no doubt.
In 1871, Custer and the 7th Cavalry, with the 4th Infantry spent time in Kentucky attempting to arrest the KKK violence there.