Sideways solution

Marilyn Dishman said it all: “How would you like it if your abuser was honored?”

Even in my own family we are having heated debates about racism, war, tribute and history inspired by Lexington’s debate over whether to keep Confederate statues in our town square.

Dishman reminds us that the statues were created to honor the actions of people who oppressed other people.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is the basis of civilization and every religion on the planet. We need to understand and accept the deep, complicated implications for ourselves and teach this understanding to every child so we can live secure, happy lives.

Might is not right, the Civil War was a failure of democracy. War and killing do not solve problems. Collective security, diplomacy, oppression and marginalization of segments of society, healing prejudice and racism, purpose in life — all beg to be resolved with Dishman’s simple statement.

I don’t want to spend the time or money moving the statues. I think we should just turn them on their sides to show they are no longer honored. Only this way would I be fine with keeping the history there.

This story was originally published August 18, 2017 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Sideways solution."