Throughout history, statues have been erected to honor the contributions and accomplishments of individuals. They have represented religion, culture, politics and power. They stand for what those in charge see as significant and as messages to the society of who and what to believe in.
But societies change. Power shifts. Ideologies become obsolete. Statues fall. And that is what we are seeing now, with admirable intent, but in rash and indiscriminate ways.
Perhaps this is a good time not only to give more careful thought to the removal of statues, but also to give serious consideration to how we choose our heroes. We invest in comic book heroes, celebrities who represent wealth and fame and athletes who entertain us. Wealth is an outsized component of the way we pick our heroes.
Who are the heroes of compassion? Of spiritual growth? Of intellectual accomplishment? Of contributions in the arts? Of bravery? Of the accomplishments of the common citizen?
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