Last December, the Virginia Military Institute removed a big statue of Stonewall Jackson. They are now hiding him in a museum. He was just one of many “celebrities” of the old south to vanish as American tries to change its history. I guess there really isn’t much wrong with the idea of change. The old South, as we knew it is gone. The idea of white people being able to enslave people of dark skin is long gone. And that’s a good thing in our land of freedom such as the USA basically is.

The Robert E Lee statue, a gentle scholar and teacher himself, was also removed from Richmond, the former Confederate Capitol, and it was relocated. (Hidden) The Governor of Virginia knew that although Lee was a highly educated son of the south who had freed his inherited slaves and spoke against slavery, Lee did fight for the South. So out he went. Many other statues of the notables of the old south were also ingloriously torn down. The memories of those the statues shamed. But what’s wrong with that? Well, as one young lady said to me, “I’ve been all over Europe and I didn’t see any statues of Hitler.” She has a point I suppose. But who is to say just what parts of our Nation’s history needs to be purified? And is this a good way to proceed?

Rioting has strolled hand in hand with our political experts as we vandalize our historical monuments. One participant said, “It’s time to get rid of that thing and for me to get me a new wide screen TV, too.” Well, that works well too for the arsonists and insurrectionists who know an opportunity when they see it. I doubt if many rioters understand much about what the statue’s real personage actually did or felt, but history does move on. And for sure they know the value of a race riot. And a new TV.

Much harm has been done to our image in America. We have always been the land of prosperity, safety and political stability. The rioting in the streets with its wholesale looting that continues to this day and our obvious loss of safety in the streets was only a preliminary to the ugly scene at the US Capitol riots (mostly by so-called Trump supporters) that broke out over the election count. All of this has been harmful to us as a nation. We have never seen such behavior in DC. Crime against citizens and their property has become rampant. I wonder what is next.

And what about those Confederate names? The street by my house if named “Lee.” Should the city go out and see just how many other streets we have in Allen that carry the name of some now unacceptable Confederate hero? And whose business is it anyway what they named my street? Should the town of Stonewall rename itself? I don’t think so. There’s a lot of history, some would even say romance in the name of a town, a street or school. One writer thinks it’s a good opportunity for us to change these names and recognize people of our time who have had positive influence on our modern history. I wonder if he was thinking of, perhaps, himself?

As for me, I realize we have glamorized some things which are violent. World War II and other wars of our time come to mind. Our WWII monument in Washington DC in particular comes to mind. But they are a part of who we are. Things we fought for to insure out freedom. A freedom to make statues and monuments to our history as we see fit. I hope the next generation doesn’t have to place one last monument to us saying: “They died of political correctness.”

At the very least, the year of 2021 is done for. Covid has whipsawed us and left us staggering. So have the mobs. Let’s try not to tear the country up anymore as we recover our health and our senses. Have a Happy New Year and be sure and start it off by going to church Sunday. One institution you have great need of. And I think it needs you too.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com