[Lincolnparkdc] Lincoln Park's Lincoln statue

Thu Jun 18 23:26:16 EDT 2020

Agreed. I was not replying directly to your Douglas speech idea, though it
does raise practical questions.

David
13th St

On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 11:15 PM Barbara Meierhoefer <bmeierhoefer at me.com>
wrote:

> Frederick Douglas’s speech at the dedication Is not instruction, it is
> history. I think people can make their own interpretations best when
> informed.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 18, 2020, at 10:57 PM, David Morris <figaromorris at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 
> 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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