Put historically offensive monuments in museums
About removing monuments, let us stop and take a deep breath. The current wave of anti- Semitic, neo- Nazi, white nationalist/ racist rallies and rhetoric must be condemned. And monuments that glorify an ugly page of our history should probably be removed. But
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. I would argue that they should not be destroyed, but rather placed in museums and other spaces where they can be seen in their historical context as teaching instruments, as warnings, as signs of contrition.
The name Balbo can be replaced by a worthy Italian, chosen perhaps by the Italian- American community of Chicago. The 2,000- year- old Etruscan pillar could be rededicated to the Century of Progress, 1933World’s Fair, and placed at the original site from the fair, or, if that is not possible, in a prominent site in “Little Italy” village. Or, it can be given back to Italy. Most of us abhorred the destruction of precious statutes and art work by the hammers in the hands of Islamic State fanatics. Let’s not go that route. Martin Deppe, Ravenswood-Manor
Context for Balbo monument
After reading Michael Sneed’s “Bye, Balbo” report, it dawned on me that I had never heard of Italo Balbo. So, I would guess that numerous people in the Chicago area have not heard of him or his connection to Mussolini. So instead of removing the monument, why not use it as a learning tool? Have the Park District place a separate plaque adjacent to the monument listing the war crimes Mussolini committed after he gained power with Balbo’s help. Bernard Begeske, Griffith, Indiana