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Instead Of Destroying Symbols Of Racism, We Should Preserve Them As Material Evidence
WARNING: The following contains disturbing images and information. That is why you need to read it.
The murder of George Floyd was a wakeup call to injustices which have gone on for centuries. Looking around for something to do about the injustice of racism, many latched on to its symbols, which are everywhere: Confederate flags and statues, universities and other public places named after notorious racists, plaques and museums honoring those who fought for the “right” to enslave others.
While I appreciate the sentiment behind destroying these symbols of racism, and understand the emotional relief in doing so, I suggest something more practical to actually do something about the systemic racism today which these symbols of the past embody.
These symbols of racism should be preserved as evidence.
I mean this both in the literal sense of legal evidence, and the general sense of historic evidence.
Symbols of Racism as Legal Evidence
The symbols of racism are now particularly relevant as evidence in the Impeachment trial of Donald Trump and what I hope…
