Confederate statues are a hot topic following the recent tragic events in Charlottesville, Va., wherein the movement to preserve the legacy of the Confederacy claimed another life in Heather Heyer.
While these events have caused many to question their place in modern society, many leading conservatives and Republicans, including the president, have rushed to defend the statues on the grounds that they are necessary to preserve history, that the Civil War will be erased and forgotten without them.
As an avid history buff, I share this concern for historical preservation. The only way to preserve history is to have shrines valorizing genocidal murderers in every city and town. Obviously, books do not exist, and museums are a left-wing conspiracy. But by these standards, clearly more than just the Civil War is at risk of disappearing from our historical memory.
In 2001, Osama bin Laden masterminded the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which claimed the lives of thousands. It was one of the worst terrorist attacks in American history since Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s massacre at Fort Pillow. If Confederate statues are necessary to preserve Civil War history, it stands to reason that a giant statue honoring Osama bin Laden is the one way to ensure that the memory of 9/11 will live on.
After all, bin Laden and the other planners of 9/11 had much in common with the generals of the Confederacy. Both practiced religious extremism and terrorism, preached bigotry and subjugation of others, and took up arms against the American state. It is only right that we treat them in the same manner.
Some might argue that there are other, more tasteful ways to preserve the history of 9/11, that a giant tribute to a triumphant bin Laden might cause pain and anger for the families and descendants of bin Laden’s victims; and that it might send the wrong message to future generations about our society’s views on extremist violence and bigotry.
To this I say, nah! As conservatives often say, it’s important to honor “both sides,” even the pro-genocide side. Geraldo Rivera says tearing down such memorials erases history, and when has he ever been wrong about famous historical sites?
Given their support of Confederate memorials, I am sure all conservatives will applaud my proposal to build a grand statue telling Osama bin Laden’s story next to the World Trade Center, and I call on them to voice their support.
Once we are done preserving the history of 9/11, we can work on better preserving the history of the Holocaust.
Conservatives have given me some great ideas for that, too.
Dan Stevens is a Baltimore-based freelance writer.
Also see: Should NYC Remove Statues of its Anti-Semitic Dutch Governor?
Jmore is giving away two pairs of tickets to the Orioles' Jewish Heritage Night on May 26. Enter now for your chance to win.
An appeal to New York's Jewish Museum for help cites President Trump’s record of demolition as a real estate developer and history of preservation failures.
Dara Bunjon talks with Joe Lertch and Mark Robinson, co-founders of The Wine Matrix and co-authors of "The Art of Spice & Wine Pairing."
With just five ingredients (plus apples), this apple cake from Elite Jakob is as easy as it is delicious.