(DailyDig.com) – For nearly two decades, members of the New York City Council have called for the removal of one of the nation’s Founding Fathers from its city hall. Despite standing in place for over 100 years, the statue may finally have lost the fight.
Since 1918, the statue of Thomas Jefferson, which stands 7 feet tall, has watched over members of the council in the New York City Hall. The monument has watched the United States grow and evolve into the country it is today. In 2001 Charles Barron, Assemblyman and former council member, called for the statue’s removal, beginning the two-decade debate.
A Thomas Jefferson statue that has stood in New York’s City Hall for more than 100 years may be removed after a request by the City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.
A vote on a long-term loan to the New-York Historical Society is expected Monday.https://t.co/CWFnMGCf3M
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 18, 2021
Now, the battle has finally come to an end as the city council, composed of Black, Latino and Asian members, voted in favor of removing the statue. The Thomas Jefferson monument will no longer overlook as council members vote on policies. Instead, it will sit in the New York Historical Society.
Thomas Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and famously wrote that all men are created equal in the Declaration of Independence, but he still had slaves of his own. While owning another human being is inexcusable, Thomas Jefferson was still one of the most influential people in American history.
In all fairness, what does this one statue’s removal actually contribute to fighting racial injustices? Should officials discard all statues of historical figures? After all, no one is perfect, and history has allowed much worse to slide. Where does America draw the line?
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