STATUES: The rape analogy

There has been a lot of yelling back and forth about taking down statues and erasing history. Some of it has even been discussed intelligently.

I must admit that even I have been torn in this debate and although I could sympathize, I really had no reference for empathy — that was until it was explained to me this way:

Let’s say you have been gang raped. Now every day on your walk to work you must pass by a statue honoring the leader of the gang that raped you. You also realize that the statue is being used as a rallying point for the gang members and others who are like-minded. How would you feel?

I did not go into the fact that the statues we generally talk about were guilty of treason against the USA and therefore thousands of deaths. And don’t let anyone try to spin the war and tell you it was not about the right to keep slaves.

I do not want any history, good or bad, erased or changed. I truly believe that our history teaches us what we as a country have done wrong and if remembered, will help keep us from making the same mistake in the future. Also, just as important is remembering the good that has been done. Maybe, just maybe, we can repeat it.

MICHAEL TEAGUE

Coeur d’Alene