Debating Lee Park’s Statue

There is a debate about the future of the statue of Robert E. Lee in Lee Park, located on Market Street in downtown Charlottesville. Charlottesville Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy has been calling for the tearing down of this monument, along with other historical objects. He believes the statue to be a glorifying symbol of slavery and a symbol of hate.

The whole discussion began when a local high school student started a petition to remove the statue, which garnered the attention of the Vice Mayor.

There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this debate. First, those who support the removal of the statue are correct in saying that this statue represents a time of hate and severe racism. Robert E. Lee was a Confederate General, which is the side that supported continuing slavery.

However, Lee himself was not a supporter of slavery, in fact abhorring the institution. Lee was also a member of the Union Army before defecting to the Confederacy in order to defend his home and family in the state of Virginia.

On the other side, those that oppose the removal of the statue have a strong argument as well. They argue the statue is a symbol of our history, even if it is a history blighted with issues like slavery. They also argue that it is important to remember our history, even if it is one that we might not be entirely proud of.

Charlottesville local Whit Zirkle said, “It is ridiculous to consider taking down the statue. No one is proud of slavery, but that is not what this statue represents. It represents an important, yet tumultuous time of our nation’s history, and it would be a mistake to purposefully try and forget that.”