[Lincolnparkdc] Lincoln Park's Lincoln statue

[David Morris]

I think everyone brings his or her own context to an historical monument.
That context, which is always personal for everyone and always unique, is
all that is needed. Modifying it (or, more accurately, updating it) might
create something more in line with our current thinking, but to do so is
literally anachronistic. It makes something that we agree with. We smile
and say what a nice statue and move on. The stimulus to inquiry that I
described is obviated. It's OK to be irritated by a public monument. In
fact it's healthy.
"Explanatory" additions and such suffer from the same fault. In fact,
they're even worse because they instruct (or heavily suggest) how to think.
It's what I call "paint by numbers" art. I prefer to make my own
interpretations within the context I bring to the work, and I think others
should be free to do so as well without a committee-drawn list of
appropriate thoughts.
A number of people here have referred to their children asking about the
statue. What a golden opportunity to engage with a young mind and help him
or her begin to form their own context and interpretive skills. We should
all embrace it. But on our own please, no instructions needed.

David
13th St. SE

On Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 11:16 PM Sarah Von Der Lippe <scvdl at aol.com> wrote:

> David:  Thank you so much for taking the time to write this out.  I still
> need to do a lot more thinking to figure out where I land on all this, but
> I appreciate your taking the time to express yourself so thoughtfully.  One
> question:  why do you think it's a problem to "modify" the statue? Are you
> saying we shouldn't even add context?  Or did I misunderstand you?  I keep
> remembering my daughter's question when she first fully "saw" the statue
> for the first: "why is the big man hurting the black man?"  I am not sure
> if that changes my views, but it's a powerful reaction.  Sarah
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Morris <figaromorris at gmail.com>
> To: lincolnparkdc at lincolnparkdc.info
> Sent: Mon, Jun 15, 2020 6:39 pm
> Subject: Re: [Lincolnparkdc] Lincoln Park's Lincoln statue
>
> The original purpose of public monuments like the Lincoln Statue is to
> commemorate particular events and people and how they were viewed at the
> time, but for future generations they become something more interesting and
> more complicated: a stimulus to critically reflect and inquire about those
> original events, people, and views. They become teachable moments for all
> of us, young and old, black and white. Judging by the discussion here, it
> seems to me the Lincoln Statue is doing the job any monument should: making
> us think and reflect on our past and how to interpret it.
> If we remove or modify monuments because we disagree with their original
> view of history, we rob monuments of this cultural function, surrounding
> ourselves merely with things we find agreeable. The intellectual and
> cultural stimulus is lost. I disagree with the man in Boston. A kid
> *should* have to ask the tough questions the statue raises, as should we
> all.
> I think it’s also important to keep in mind that the Lincoln Statue is
> part of a duet of sculpture in Lincoln Park that expands the dialogue I’m
> talking about. At the other end stands Mary McLeod Bethune celebrating with
> children. The contrasting ensemble is very unusual for a national park, and
> we are fortunate to have this invitation to reflection and inquiry on our
> doorstep.
> David
> 13th St. SE
>
> On Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 5:39 PM Jeni Schoemaker <jaschoemaker at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Thank you for sending the link. It think it explains things very well. I
> remember being very upset when I first moved here and saw the statue. My
> daughter was 3 or 4 when she started asking questions about it. It prompted
> me to do research into and gain a better understanding of the purpose of it.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 15, 2020, at 4:46 PM, Sandra Caron George <sandracgeorge at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> 
> Here is the link to the article. I suggest folks read it and watch the
> very well-done video calling for removal of (or revision to) the statue
> before coming to its defense.
>
>
> https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.boston.com/news/local-news-2/2020/06/13/abraham-lincoln-statue-marty-walsh/amp
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 3:31 PM Alice Hall <alicehall515 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Surely no one could seriously consider removing our Lincoln statue. It was
> paid for by subscription by former slaves in D.C.
>
> > On Jun 15, 2020, at 7:59 AM, Muriel Wolf <murieldubrow at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I need to find the site on Google emancipation statue Boston,  My
> brother just emailed me that Mayor Walsh of Boston is willing to remove the
> Lincoln statue---just like ours which is in Boston and replace it with a
> Black created statue.    We need to be aware that issues might arise with
> our Lincoln statue, which so many of us love.  Mimi Wolf
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 9:12 AM <citymom92 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > We’re removing our old, disintegrating slate patio and installing
> pervious pavers, but have probably 40 or so 1/2” thick slate pieces that
> might still be usable for someone planning a small patio area.  PM if you’d
> like to take some, preferably all. We’ve pulled out a few, but there’s more
> to pry up (it’s not hard-screwdriver and a little muscle). I’m hoping to
> keep it out of a landfill.
> >
> > Contact me offline if you want them-
> > Gina A
> > 100 bl Kentucky
> > citymom92 AT gmail DOT com
> >
> >
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