You cannot ‘whitewash’ the past.
We just need to learn from it.
<RantMode>
Couldn't agree more. History happened. Some of it was horrendous and only shows the depths to which we as human beings can sink. It's not what we've done, no-one can change that, but it's how we move on and make the world a better place, for all ethnicities.
We get it. Back in the day, people of colour, were enslaved & exploited by unscrupulous traders and people of the time who did not know any better and were people of the day. That's not to say they were right in any way or form. It should never have happened. But what about through all of history, people have been made slaves of, those that for whatever reason were seen as weaker were enslaved by others who, at that time, had the upper hand. Should we go around ripping down statues of roman leaders, Greek scholars. Tear down the pyramids even. Imagine the slavery that went into building them?
Tearing statues down, and otherwise defacing structures just because one group, or another, doesn't agree with what they stand for is not the answer. Next thing we know they'll be ripping down the statue of Churchill because he sent 100's of thousands of men and women to their deaths during WWII.
What next? Are they going to go through all of the history books and scrub out the names of the bad people, then right in their place about how sweet and rosy everything was back then. This part of history was a wonderful and exciting place for all, because society hundreds or thousands of years later has changed and deemed it unsuitable? Where will the young people learn then?
</RantMode>
I'll get me coat.
No, more likely we'll rip them down because of his use of chemical weaponsNext thing we know they'll be ripping down the statue of Churchill because he sent 100's of thousands of men and women to their deaths during WWII.
<RantMode>
Couldn't agree more. History happened. Some of it was horrendous and only shows the depths to which we as human beings can sink. It's not what we've done, no-one can change that, but it's how we move on and make the world a better place, for all ethnicities
What a ridiculous post.
Its not about eliminating them from history, it about not celebrating them. Seems pretty simple to me.
Sometimes a news reporters lot can be a lonely one.
What a ridiculous post.
Its not about eliminating them from history, it about not celebrating them. Seems pretty simple to me.
Thank you for your valid opinion.Germany does not have any Hitler statues, but they acknowledge their bad history more than any other country I know of, they don't white wash or hide it but they don't celebrate the men who committed disgraceful act on other humans.
Thank you for your valid opinion.
TBH Roger I'm not sure about this. Normally your photos (at least of people) tell a story and stand without the narrative. The story (at least to me) is the empty plinth. I wouldn't have got to that from this photo. Maybe wider, making the reporter less prominent would show the empty plinth and make it more of a story
Thats a fact, not an opinion
To be fair Hugh, the title is about the empty plinth (and it certainly works if the thread is anything to go by!) the comment about the reporter was just part of the additional narrative.
However I appreciate your comment and it's probably a point for me to note not to 'mix' aspects of a photo.
Not at all Richard, your view is as valid as everyone elsesGramps,
Please accept my apologies if I have stolen your thread. It was not my intention to do so.
Not at all Richard, your view is as valid as everyone elses
Funny that this one gets more comments than the ones that 'work'I have to admit that, for me, it doesn't quite have your usual impact. That said I do like the messages your photos normally convey.
<RantMode>
Couldn't agree more. History happened. Some of it was horrendous and only shows the depths to which we as human beings can sink. It's not what we've done, no-one can change that, but it's how we move on and make the world a better place, for all ethnicities.
We get it. Back in the day, people of colour, were enslaved & exploited by unscrupulous traders and people of the time who did not know any better and were people of the day. That's not to say they were right in any way or form. It should never have happened. But what about through all of history, people have been made slaves of, those that for whatever reason were seen as weaker were enslaved by others who, at that time, had the upper hand. Should we go around ripping down statues of roman leaders, Greek scholars. Tear down the pyramids even. Imagine the slavery that went into building them?
Tearing statues down, and otherwise defacing structures just because one group, or another, doesn't agree with what they stand for is not the answer. Next thing we know they'll be ripping down the statue of Churchill because he sent 100's of thousands of men and women to their deaths during WWII.
What next? Are they going to go through all of the history books and scrub out the names of the bad people, then right in their place about how sweet and rosy everything was back then. This part of history was a wonderful and exciting place for all, because society hundreds or thousands of years later has changed and deemed it unsuitable? Where will the young people learn then?
</RantMode>
I'll get me coat.
Modern slavery is the severe exploitation of other people for personal or commercial gain. Modern slavery is all around us, but often just out of sight. People can become entrapped making our clothes, serving our food, picking our crops, working in factories, or working in houses as cooks, cleaners or nannies.
My only quibble with this “modern slavery” business is that it tends to obscure the real old fashioned slavery that is still going on .{Antislavery Organisation}
Please explain ... my mind is drawn to the packed 'sardine tin' slave ships.My only quibble with this “modern slavery” business is that it tends to obscure the real old fashioned slavery that is still going on .
Well, for example:Please explain ... my mind is drawn to the packed 'sardine tin' slave ships.
Well, for example:
Slavery in the Sahel region (and to a lesser extent the Horn of Africa), exists along the racial and cultural boundary of Arabized Berbers in the north and darker Africans in the south.[8]Slavery in the Sahel states of Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan in particular, continues a centuries-old pattern of hereditary servitude.[9] Other forms of traditional slavery exist in parts of Ghana, Benin, Togo and Nigeria.[10] There are other, non-traditional forms of slavery in Africa today, mostly involving human traffickingand the enslavement of child soldiers and child labourers, e.g. human trafficking in Angola, and human trafficking of children from Togo, Benin and Nigeria to Gabon and Cameroon …
… Forced labor in Sub-Saharan Africa[16] is estimated at 660,000….
Slavery in contemporary Africa - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
And of course historically:
Slavery in Africa - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Not at all Garry, an interesting alternative to setting him at an angle.Sorry if my post tipped the discussion in the wrong direction, gramps.
Everybody does . It’s a pity your thread has gone off onto ‘slavery’ rather than the subject of your photo but I suppose it was inevitable . I’ll shut up now .Ah I see, yes I was thinking 'western world'
I don't think it's gone off topic, the controversy is about Colston's involvement in slavery.Everybody does . It’s a pity your thread has gone off onto ‘slavery’ rather than the subject of your photo but I suppose it was inevitable . I’ll shut up now .
I thought it was about the TV crews and reporters .I don't think it's gone off topic, the controversy is about Colston's involvement in slavery.
Everybody does . It’s a pity your thread has gone off onto ‘slavery’ rather than the subject of your photo but I suppose it was inevitable . I’ll shut up now .
I thought it was about the TV crews and reporters .
If George Floyd had not died would the statue of Colston still have been pulled down?
TOPIC: "The plinth of controversy."
I understand that my specifically mentioning the reporter may have confused some but the reporter is only there because of the controversy over the statue and plinth.
There is much controversy about what to do with the statue, even how it should be positioned in the 'museum' and equally controversy over its being removed in the first place and yet again, what will replace the statue on the now vacant plinth.
My bad in that I assumed that most were as familiar with the circumstances surrounding the statue as we are locally, since it has frequently featured on the national news.
( ・᷄ ︵・᷅ )
If George Floyd had not died would the statue of Colston still have been pulled down?