#kaphar

Yes, it happens. Particularly on issues of passion to me involving freedom, respect and our system of Government.

I have written in these spaces of my outrage at those symbols of injustice  and racism throughout the South, most erected at the height of Jim Crow in the early 20th Century. Yes, I am talking about those Confederate Monuments. Again.

But I was wrong, and I am here to admit it. I owe this change of mind and heart to the Artist Titus Kaphar whose piece on NPR’s “TED Talks” was, to say the least, persuasive.

Kaphar’ point is this: We are not served by erasing history (as many others have characterized this movement). Rather, Kaphar argues we should add context to these Civil War statues by erecting new Art that more accurately describes the reality of that period of our history. This new art should be of equal size and prominence to those previously erected in the name of a cause we all (I hope) NOW recognize was inherently evil, no matter the motivations or heroism of those who fought for it.

Kaphar suggests we should amend this art just as we do with our Constitution. We do not erase previous articles and amendments we now recognize as ill conceived or rank racism and misogyny, we amend them.

If there is a statue of Robert E. Lee in a public space, erect a new piece of art either honoring those hero’s in the fight against Slavery or like symbolism. If there is a street named Jefferson Davis, hyphenate it with Nat Turner.

Rather than expend public funds to dismantle or move these statues, that money (and more) should be expended for new art. For art is the pursuit of truth.