Leaving the Confederacy Behind: Is it Time?

In the wake of last week’s horrific slaughter inside an African-American church in Charleston, S.C., America has witnessed an intense renewal of calls to see the Confederate Battle Flag removed from public display.

In South Carolina, where the racially charged crime took place, Gov. Nikki Haley has announced she supports the idea of removing the Confederate flag from that state’s capitol grounds. Retailers, such as Walmart, Amazon, Sears and eBay, have all announced bans on the sale of Confederate flag merchandise, according to CNN.

U.S. Rep Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, even announced Tuesday her own campaign against memorializing the confederacy. She would like to see the statue of Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith removed from the U.S. Capitol. Smith’s statue has stood as a representation of Florida in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall since 1922.

In Kirby’s place, Castor would like to see a statue created of a leader, such as Mary McLeod Bethune or Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who have “made more lasting and positive contributions to our great state.”

In announcing her intentions to lobby for the removal of Kirby’s statue, Castor said: “I call on all Floridians to consider great leaders, scientists, teachers, artists and more who reflect the essence of our great state and join the effort to select a statue for the U.S. Capitol. The time is now as a wave is sweeping the country to revisit symbols and representations that better reflect the accuracy of our nation’s history and a more inclusive legacy.”

As the battle over Confederate symbols rages on the national stage, we’d like to get your take on the topic. Should the statue stay or go? Share your thoughts by commenting below!