I support the toppling of #EdwardColston's statue. Slavery should never be celebrated. It was wrong to erect it. The protesters were right to dismantle it.
#BlackLivesMatter
huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/black-li…
These symbols are immensely important. Those who deplore this demolition should ask themselves where they stood on the removal of Saddam Hussein's statues, or Stalin's. We should not allow those who exercised power in the past to govern us beyond the grave.
A lively, democratic nation is one that renews its self-image and changes its symbols to reflect its changing character. This should include some of its statuary.
While we're at it, could we please change the official emblem of Parliament?
A portcullis, symbolically shutting us out
Surrounded by chains, symbolically constraining us
Surmounted by a crown, symbolically concentrating power.
Let's have some democratic imagery.
The way we see ourselves helps to shape who we become. Let us see ourselves as a democratic, inclusive, lively nation, and develop public imagery that reflects these values.
If anyone gets fined for toppling this statue, I would be happy to contribute to paying it off. I'm sure many others would too.
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