No amount of whitewashing is going to fix that. Almost half of them in-fact celebrate it.
Honestly, it’s not as bad as I expected. It’s one of those ones with a big angel on top, and then a bunch of scenes around the base, and I’m assuming the problematic bits are just among the scenes somewhere.
I’m not saying it should be restored, but it’s not like it’s a statue of only the bad stuff. I could see how someone who doesn’t really care could look at the picture from afar and go “what!? They took down a commemorative grave monument? Sacrilege!”
I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not like they necessarily voted to put up a big statue of a slave, they voted to put up a statue with many figures, including a slave in it somewhere. Still probably best to leave it gone, though.
When I was reading the description, this is the part that made me certain it needed to go:
This Latin phrase means: “The Victorious Cause was Pleasing to the Gods, But the Lost Cause Pleased Cato.” It is a quotation from the poem Pharsalia by the ancient Roman poet Lucan. It refers to the attempt by the Roman Senator Pompey to prevent Julius Caesar from becoming dictator of Rome in 49 BC. Although he lost, Pompey’s actions pleased the great philosopher and statesman Cato (who was noted for his moral integrity).
So basically, anti slavery pleased God but pro slavery pleased Cato which would be a reference to all people with moral integrity in this case.
My interpretation is correct?
While the modern monotheistic God is thought of as inherently good and right, the Greek gods were frequently bad and immoral. I think the implication is that though fate or whatever powers that be made them lose, they were right and moral.
If I told you that there was a painting honoring fallen soldiers and they only hid a couple swastikas in it there would be no conversation to be had.
Your analogy is good but sadly you’re mistaken about “there would be no conversation to be had.” There’s a part of the Wrong Wing party that would fight for it.