Real Time with Bill Maher Overtime – Episode #659: Eric Schlosser, Douglas Murray, Frank Bruni
May 14, 2024
The discussion kicks off with a controversial school board decision to restore Confederate names, sparking debates about cultural narratives. Monument removal is a hot topic, balancing historical remembrance and the legacy of slavery. The panel dives into the complexities of teaching slavery's history and the societal impacts of drug use initiatives. Economic disparities are scrutinized through concert ticket pricing, highlighting how social media fuels grievances. Lastly, the conversation touches on health trends influenced by junk food and wraps up with a humorous drink suggestion.
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Empty Plinths
- Bill Maher recounts noticing the removal of all but one statue from Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia.
- The remaining statue is of Arthur Ashe, which Maher jokes looks like he's about to hit a child with a racket.
Timing of Statues
- Douglas Murray highlights that Confederate statues were erected during the Jim Crow era, not during the Confederacy itself.
- This timing emphasizes their connection to enforcing segregation and celebrating slavery.
Retain and Explain
- Bill Maher suggests "retain and explain", an approach used by museums, as an alternative to removing statues entirely.
- He emphasizes the importance of knowing history and questions how people can learn if only one side is represented.