The Gray Area with Sean Illing The rise and fall of America's monuments
May 26, 2022
Jamil Smith chats with Erin Thompson, America's first professor of art crime and author of "Smashing Statues." They dive into the controversial history of America's monuments, discussing why we honor figures with troubling legacies. Erin highlights the societal impacts of these statues and the debates surrounding their removal, linking them to contemporary issues like racial equity and national identity. The conversation also covers innovative ideas for transforming these symbols into community-centered art, encouraging a reevaluation of how we commemorate our past.
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Viral Tweet
- Erin Thompson saw a video of an activist trying to remove a Columbus statue.
- Her viral tweet advising a more effective method sparked public debate and inspired her book.
Monuments, Not Memorials
- Confederate monuments are not memorials mourning the dead, but monuments celebrating a vision of power.
- They promote a hierarchy where white men hold authority.
Not Erasing History
- Removing monuments doesn't erase history; it removes honor.
- True erasure is attempting to wipe out cultures, not removing statues.
