These statues weren’t erected to honor anyone; they were erected to remind Black people to stay in their place. They were often paid for by White supremecist organizations 50, 60, 70 years after the end of the Civil War at times when people of color were starting to gain some rights. They were erected most often in places like courthouses as a reminder of what kind of justice people of color could expect there.

It’s also time to stop glorifying the heros of a treasonous uprising that was hellbent on maintaining it’s right to own and subjugate fellow human beings.