LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor:
I am a long time resident of Union County. I am saddened to see how people wish to do away with anything of history. When you try to rewrite history you are doomed to repeat it. This nation has a not so perfect history but has overcome and become one of the greatest one in the world. No other country has more freedoms that we do. We have allowed God to be removed from our schools and our every day lives. So at this time we need to come together for the good of our nation. I have served my country but am sad the way its headed now.
Richard Aaron, El Dorado
To the Editor:
The Confederate statue that stands on our courthouse grounds commemorates a war that was fought to maintain the institution of slavery. I certainly do not want to “erase” our history. On the contrary, we all need to be aware of our history. That is why I think the statue does not belong on the courthouse square. It is time for us to go.
Susan Whatley, El Dorado
To the Editor:
In reference to the statue of the soldier on the Union County square, he is just that of a simple soldier. He is not a politician or a high grade military – he is a soldier, a simple soldier – leave the statue alone.
A.E. Blevins, Huttig, AR
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in support of the removal of the confederate statue that resides on the Union County Municipal Courthouse lawn here in El Dorado, AR. In writing this letter, I am hoping to not only change minds but to also change hearts. We all have our beliefs about people, whether they were taught or learned over time but we are in a time of resounding change. This change is being ushered in by our children and our children’s children. We can no longer pay homage to those people and those times in history where all men were not free.
I know there are many that are in support of it staying, you sir or madam may also be in support of it too, claiming that it is a reminder of where we’ve come from and where not to return. Others are holding onto some sort of heritage, a heritage stained in white supremacy, oppression, and slavery. You cannot claim the good parts of history while leaving out the bad. We all know what the Confederacy stood for and what they fought for. In no means am I saying destroy it because I do believe history must be preserved as much as possible but it should be in a Confederate cemetery or a museum.
Opposition to this is only rooted in fear. Fear of looking at the world through Black or Brown eyes. Fear of looking at a browner world. Its fear of losing White culture like Black people did. We are not trying to dilute anyone’s culture; we are trying to make America uphold the words of the Constitution, that all men are created equal. The words of the Star
Spangled Banner, land of the free and home of the brave.
Replace these relics with monuments that move us forward and keep us focused on a promising future. We advertise about our diverse musical events and festivals that take place in the center of downtown but at the same time what kind of image are we really putting out there about El Dorado to the people who visit and the people that perform in our town when they see monuments with the inscription stating “The South will rise again.” There is only one “South” this monument represents and we all know what “South” that it pertains to.
The only thing stopping the removal is fear. Change is hard, change is painful, change is scary but in most instances it is necessary and inevitable.
Thank you for your undivided attention.
Sincerely, Yolanda Phillips, El Dorado