I am writing in support of the president of the Lower Sussex National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Louise Henry, when she asks for the Confederate monument and flag to be removed from the outside of the Georgetown Historical Society.
I agree that it has been inappropriate over the years that taxpayer money has paid for the museum's decision to maintain this pubic reminder and commemoration of sedition, treason and enslavement. It is time for it to be removed and put inside the museum with explanations of the context of why Delawareans supported the breakup of the United States and the enslavement of other human beings. Moving these monuments from the outside to the inside of museums is part of a trend in cities that should be followed here.
For example, the mayor of Lexington, Ky., Jim Gray, has said, ""By relocating these statues we are not destroying, hiding or sanitizing history. We are honoring and learning our history through this relocation."
As Sen. Brian Pettyjohn has said, since the appropriation has already been made, it is difficult to change that at this point; moreover, it pays mostly for utilities.
Therefore, the historical society leaders should just move on from this request and gather the funds to move the monument and flag inside.
However, I find it odd in the context of the events since the Charlottesville incident that Sen. Pettyjohn, per the Cape Gazette Aug. 15, is "surprised there's been a call for the removal of the monument. It's part of the history of people who live here." Yes, of course, it is part of the history of the people who live here, but it is not a part of which to be proud. More importantly, from a moral standpoint, the monument and flag should not be outside on public display implying that all people appreciate and respect them when they represent such negative features of our country's history.
The thinking and fair-minded people of Georgetown are no different from those in other cities in the south and north where monuments and flags are being relocated.
Richard S. Huffman
Prime Hook Beach