Mark Farris: Native American statue would be more fitting - News - Monroe News - Monroe, Michigan - Monroe, MI
Mark Farris: Native American statue would be more fitting - News - Monroe News - Monroe, Michigan - Monroe, MI
Opinion
Mark Farris: Native American statue would be more fitting
By MARK FARRIS
“The Custer statue and the James Monroe statue represent genocide. Both promote the tradition of militarism as the chosen path forward.”
George Armstrong Custer fought to end slavery only to then go on to fight for the extermination of the native American people he admired.
President James Monroe was the guy who dreamt up the Monroe Doctrine that evolved into Manifest Destiny that evolved into gunboat diplomacy. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” If you can’t convince someone you are right, crack their skull to emphasize your point.
The Custer statue and the James Monroe statue represent genocide. Both promote the tradition of militarism as the chosen path forward.
The immoral past set up the immoral present, which will usher in an immoral future if we allow it to happen. All traditions are conditions imposed by someone else to perpetuate their reality.
Genocide is the fuel that drives economic growth and the military industrial complex has bankrupt America.
The Custer statue should be moved. Sculptor Edward Potter designed the statue and entitled it “Sighting the Enemy.” It was dedicated to Maj. Gen. Custer for his Civil War record and erected in the middle of Loranger Square in 1910. Mr. Potter requested the statue should always face south.
When automobiles started to crowd the streets, Mr. Custer was just in the way.
In the summer of 1923 the city moved him to Soldiers and Sailors Park on the river. At that point the city pretty much forgot about him for over 30 years. Before he was again moved to his current location, the statue was obscured by trees and overgrowth. To add insult to injury, since the summer of 1955, the Custer statue has been staring northeast directly at Windsor, Ontario. So much for tradition.
One of the comments supporting the petition for removal suggested the statue should be moved to the Gettysburg, Pa., battlefield site. I think that is appropriate and I believe if a poll were taken, the majority of Civil War buffs would agree that is where Gen. Custer belongs.
In his place, I suggest a statue dedicated to the people who had this land stolen from them. A Native American statue would reflect reality more accurately. I don’t mean Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse. It wouldn’t even have to be Chief Tecumseh who was native to this area. Just a simple statue of a Native American couple with a canoe would tie the river to the marshes to the lake. Isn’t that really the essence of Monroe? That simple statue would be more positively educational than all the military statues combined.
As for the James Monroe statue, I suggest moving him to the 1812 battlefield site on Elm Ave. As many cities around the country are removing Confederate statues, the Monroe County 200 Legacy Project Committee chose to erect a statue of a slave owner. President James Monroe was not a fan of slavery although he at one time owned 250 slaves as did Presidents Washington and Jefferson and others who spoke of “liberty and justice for all” (white people).
For many years now the City of Monroe has been trying to establish itself as a walk-able tourist destination. Like many towns dealing with a post industrial economic implosion, Monroe is somewhat dependent on its’ past for its’ future.
Emphasis on militarism is the wrong direction for Monroe. Young people who represent the future reject Gen. Custer and if they knew much about President Monroe, they would reject what he stood for. Most people are not going to walk several blocks from one statue only to gaze upon another butcher and then go out for lunch in town.
At one time Monroe was referred to as the “Floral City” but now is often known for a massive algal bloom.
There used to be a small passenger rail line that ran along the Erie shore from Toledo to Detroit with a stop in Monroe. The tourist passenger ships that cruised this end of Lake Erie with a stop at the lakefront Lotus Hotel all sound like a dreamy release from the lunacy of the militarism that has bankrupt this country and much of the planet.
This country is bankrupt as it continues to financially bail out the people who keep creating economic turmoil for the working folks who prop it all up.
The annual trillion dollar Pentagon budget is a growing tumor. The militarization of police has led to nationwide protest but The Donald believes police just need a bigger stick. He probably thinks rubber bullets are a waste of gun powder.
Michigan is bankrupt and unable to finance an overall infrastructure plan let alone repair all the damn roads.
As this current reality continues to descend, there is no dreamy release in sight.
Gen. Custer should be moved to Gettysburg, Pa. That’s where he attained his fame.
Mark Farris lives in Monroe. He can be reached at rpddog@sbcglobal.net.
Opinion
Mark Farris: Native American statue would be more fitting
By MARK FARRIS
“The Custer statue and the James Monroe statue represent genocide. Both promote the tradition of militarism as the chosen path forward.”
George Armstrong Custer fought to end slavery only to then go on to fight for the extermination of the native American people he admired.
President James Monroe was the guy who dreamt up the Monroe Doctrine that evolved into Manifest Destiny that evolved into gunboat diplomacy. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” If you can’t convince someone you are right, crack their skull to emphasize your point.
The Custer statue and the James Monroe statue represent genocide. Both promote the tradition of militarism as the chosen path forward.
The immoral past set up the immoral present, which will usher in an immoral future if we allow it to happen. All traditions are conditions imposed by someone else to perpetuate their reality.
Genocide is the fuel that drives economic growth and the military industrial complex has bankrupt America.
The Custer statue should be moved. Sculptor Edward Potter designed the statue and entitled it “Sighting the Enemy.” It was dedicated to Maj. Gen. Custer for his Civil War record and erected in the middle of Loranger Square in 1910. Mr. Potter requested the statue should always face south.
When automobiles started to crowd the streets, Mr. Custer was just in the way.
In the summer of 1923 the city moved him to Soldiers and Sailors Park on the river. At that point the city pretty much forgot about him for over 30 years. Before he was again moved to his current location, the statue was obscured by trees and overgrowth. To add insult to injury, since the summer of 1955, the Custer statue has been staring northeast directly at Windsor, Ontario. So much for tradition.
One of the comments supporting the petition for removal suggested the statue should be moved to the Gettysburg, Pa., battlefield site. I think that is appropriate and I believe if a poll were taken, the majority of Civil War buffs would agree that is where Gen. Custer belongs.
In his place, I suggest a statue dedicated to the people who had this land stolen from them. A Native American statue would reflect reality more accurately. I don’t mean Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse. It wouldn’t even have to be Chief Tecumseh who was native to this area. Just a simple statue of a Native American couple with a canoe would tie the river to the marshes to the lake. Isn’t that really the essence of Monroe? That simple statue would be more positively educational than all the military statues combined.
As for the James Monroe statue, I suggest moving him to the 1812 battlefield site on Elm Ave. As many cities around the country are removing Confederate statues, the Monroe County 200 Legacy Project Committee chose to erect a statue of a slave owner. President James Monroe was not a fan of slavery although he at one time owned 250 slaves as did Presidents Washington and Jefferson and others who spoke of “liberty and justice for all” (white people).
For many years now the City of Monroe has been trying to establish itself as a walk-able tourist destination. Like many towns dealing with a post industrial economic implosion, Monroe is somewhat dependent on its’ past for its’ future.
Emphasis on militarism is the wrong direction for Monroe. Young people who represent the future reject Gen. Custer and if they knew much about President Monroe, they would reject what he stood for. Most people are not going to walk several blocks from one statue only to gaze upon another butcher and then go out for lunch in town.
At one time Monroe was referred to as the “Floral City” but now is often known for a massive algal bloom.
There used to be a small passenger rail line that ran along the Erie shore from Toledo to Detroit with a stop in Monroe. The tourist passenger ships that cruised this end of Lake Erie with a stop at the lakefront Lotus Hotel all sound like a dreamy release from the lunacy of the militarism that has bankrupt this country and much of the planet.
This country is bankrupt as it continues to financially bail out the people who keep creating economic turmoil for the working folks who prop it all up.
The annual trillion dollar Pentagon budget is a growing tumor. The militarization of police has led to nationwide protest but The Donald believes police just need a bigger stick. He probably thinks rubber bullets are a waste of gun powder.
Michigan is bankrupt and unable to finance an overall infrastructure plan let alone repair all the damn roads.
As this current reality continues to descend, there is no dreamy release in sight.
Gen. Custer should be moved to Gettysburg, Pa. That’s where he attained his fame.
Mark Farris lives in Monroe. He can be reached at rpddog@sbcglobal.net.
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