I’m glad you brought up the subject of historical context. It’s quite relevant to the subject at hand. However, I’m talking about a much more recent history.
It’s the historical context of the actual erection of the statues. You see, the overwhelming majority of statues commemorating prominent confederate figures were not constructed after the war in 1865. We wouldn’t see a trend to manufacture and post them for thirty years- and yes, the statues were mostly made from molds and casts, not the traditional artistic methods for public art. The biggest surges of these statues coming in 1910s and 1950s. However, unlike their preceeding statues which mostly focused on the soldiers or commemorating a particular battle or event, these statues were predominantly of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson in their Confederate uniforms and Jefferson Davis. Even at the time of their creation, critics panned the monuments as “glorifications of the cause of the Civil War.”
The reason these dates are so important is because of the context. The surge of statues in the 1910s also conveniently lined up with the Women’s Sufferage movement. Again, in the 1950s, it aligned with the Civil Rights movement. You can’t go on talking about context while yourself ignoring that these statues glorifying confederate leaders and generals were being placed in front of government buildings at the peaks of women and blacks being openly persecuted.
Also, you may be surprised to hear that the counter-protestors DID have a permit. I know, 45 said they didn’t but it wouldn’t be the first time he’s been caught in a bald-faced lie.
