Thread by @pinstripedline

Today, I posted a blog talking about Admiral Nelson and asking whether the RN needed to re-evaluate its attitude to him - bit.ly/3nC4bSF

The response on social media has been, to put it mildly, depressing.

Many people clearly did not read the blog, or its views /1

There have been accusations of 'wokeness' and suggestions that it is silly to question his legacy.

I beg to differ - Nelson was a great naval officer, and it is right that his legacy is remembered. But he was complex, and held views on slavery that today we find challenging. /2

I think it is right to ask if in 21st Century Britain, having a man who opposed efforts to emancipate slaves as the central figure of, at times, near hero worship, is appropriate for the Royal Navy.

Does it send the right message, and how does it help promote diversity? /3

No figure is perfect, many legacies are difficult or toxic, but we should always question and seek to look in context. To suggest Nelson is beyond reproach, simply for virtue of being Nelson or winning Trafalgar is dangerous.

Why do we fixate on this man, this battle 200yrs on?

Are there other examples we could learn from, or unduly forgotten individuals who could add more to our learning and approach?

Does our idolising Nelson blind us to other equally worthy candidates?

More widely, how does the RN address the good, and difficult part of its... /5

legacy of both challenging and tacitly supporting the slave trade, and how does it reflect on this? It is not clear cut, nor easy to take a view on.

We need to ask tough questions of our past heroes, to prevent us making future mistakes. We should not assume criticism = woke.