Thread by @sunny_hundal

Ridiculous to claim that tearing down the statue of a slave trader undermines anti-racist protests.

But this was also a clean-cut case.
What about when it isn't?

https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1269673922540249088?s=20

ALMOST EVERY historical figure is problematic in some ways. We can't just erase history because someone else doesn't like it.

Just take Mahatma Gandhi. He's controversial too! Just ask Sikhs. Or look into his attitude towards black people!

Churchill! Bonaparte! Mao Zedong!

Should Sikhs not celebrate Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale because Indian govt regard him as a terrorist?

Should Indians not be allowed to celebrate Gandhi due to his personal views?

Can't Britons celebrate Churchill for defeating Nazis even if they disagree on other actions?

In Bristol we had a clear-cut case.

But, for example, I have no issues with people celebrating Churchill for defeating the Nazis, despite knowing his racist views on people of Indian heritage. Same for Gandhi.

Should I be forced only to praise people who can't be cancelled?

I'm not criticising people for pulling down this statue. I'm just wondering where the line gets drawn.

(Even Mother Teresa had critics, BTW.)

nytimes.com/2016/08/27/wor…

I also think Nigel Farage and others more on the far-right will absolutely use these cases to whip up a culture war, invoking the threat to Churchill.

Feeding them just plays into their hands.