1. Unfortunately, the statue of #ThomasJefferson that celebrates him for the #DeclarationOfIndependence & religious liberty will be removed from #NewYork #CityHall.
Here's why it should stay (or at least be displayed prominently elsewhere)
nytimes.com/2021/10/18/nyr…
Here's why it should stay (or at least be displayed prominently elsewhere)
nytimes.com/2021/10/18/nyr…
2. Historical context matters. This is not like Confederate statues put up to celebrate the Lost Cause, racism, or slavery.
It is to commemorate the equality of the Declaration of Independence.
While not perfect equality, it was a tremendous step forward in world history.
It is to commemorate the equality of the Declaration of Independence.
While not perfect equality, it was a tremendous step forward in world history.
3. The statue was donated in 1834 by Admiral Uriah Phillips #Levy, a New Yorker and vet of the War of 1812. He was also the first Jewish commodore of the US #Navy
4. Levy on why he commissioned/donated the statue: "I consider Thomas Jefferson to be one of the greatest men in history—author of the Declaration of Independence and an absolute democrat. He serves as an inspiration to millions of Americans..."
5. Why did Jefferson matter according to Levy? "He did much to mold our Republic in a form in which a man’s religion does not make him ineligible for political or governmental life."
Jefferson's ideas & words caused a reversal to years of religious and birth discrimination.
Jefferson's ideas & words caused a reversal to years of religious and birth discrimination.
6. Levy served his nation and was able to advance in America while those of Jewish faith had long suffered discrimination throughout the world. He viewed Jefferson's ideas as crucial 
7. Many historians such as @seanwilentz @agordonreed @RaymondLavertue and others valiantly tried to preserve the statue in City Hall by offering historical context.
8. By modern standards, Jefferson's personal actions towards African Americans and his own enslaved family are inexcusable.
But the statue looks at the public Jefferson and his contributions to the nation and the world....not Jefferson the man.
But the statue looks at the public Jefferson and his contributions to the nation and the world....not Jefferson the man.
9. This statue stands for the very ideals the Confederacy fought against.
10. I wrote about the problem of removing a Jefferson statue at #Hofstra back in 2018 for the @NYDailyNews ...
The City Hall statue has a provenance and a symbolism that trumps anything the Hofstra counterpart offered
nydailynews.com/opinion/hofstr…
The City Hall statue has a provenance and a symbolism that trumps anything the Hofstra counterpart offered
nydailynews.com/opinion/hofstr…
11 revised
11. If it must be removed keep it in the building as @seanwilentz has suggested, or house it in a prominent
public place like the @nypl
11. If it must be removed keep it in the building as @seanwilentz has suggested, or house it in a prominent
public place like the @nypl
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