Confederate Statue Sparks Slavery, Moral Debate in Owensboro
By: Zakk Gammon
Updated: September 12, 2012
Don Wilkins of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer wrote an editorial in the paper, saying the Confederate Soldier statue in front of the Daviess County Courthouse needs to be taken down because it promotes slavery. But not everyone agrees.
Driving by the statue on the corner of 3rd and Frederica Streets, one probably wouldn't notice what's written on it, but take a closer look, and it reads "To Our Confederate Heroes". While nearly everyone agrees slavery was bad, there is a debate going on about whether it should be here.
"What it stands for, we believe is bigotry, prejudice, and is against everything that our Founding Fathers ever stood for," said Steve Moreland of Owensboro. He believes the statue is a terrible representation of Daviess County.
"I assure you if George Washington was alive today and he was a resident of Daviess County, Kentucky, he would probably say the statue honoring Confederate soldiers is awful," he said.
But Moreland and Wilkins are two of the few who seem to share that opinion. Several groups have said it's not about slavery. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans say it's a way to remember how far we've come as a history.
In fact, the President of the Owensboro NAACP says it's a non-issue.
"Minority unemployment is much higher than white unemployment. Minority incarceration is much disproportionate to the white community. Minority drop outs from high school is much higher. And it would be nice if the Messenger-Inquirer would focus its attention on things that actually impact the minority community rather than this statue," said President Evan Taylor. He says the statue is a way to remember the past, and while slavery may be immoral, he says the veterans should be represented.
"At the time, those folks were fighting for what they believed was right and we think veterans' service should be honored in almost all its forms in this country," Taylor said. While many say removing this statue would be revising history, Moreland says it's a piece of history that he wishes could be forgotten.
"It's time for us to change and get with what American really stands for and remove that statue as soon as possible," he said.
Wilkins tells Eyewitness News he just wanted to express his opinion, and didn't expect the topic to get this much feedback.
Driving by the statue on the corner of 3rd and Frederica Streets, one probably wouldn't notice what's written on it, but take a closer look, and it reads "To Our Confederate Heroes". While nearly everyone agrees slavery was bad, there is a debate going on about whether it should be here.
"What it stands for, we believe is bigotry, prejudice, and is against everything that our Founding Fathers ever stood for," said Steve Moreland of Owensboro. He believes the statue is a terrible representation of Daviess County.
"I assure you if George Washington was alive today and he was a resident of Daviess County, Kentucky, he would probably say the statue honoring Confederate soldiers is awful," he said.
But Moreland and Wilkins are two of the few who seem to share that opinion. Several groups have said it's not about slavery. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans say it's a way to remember how far we've come as a history.
In fact, the President of the Owensboro NAACP says it's a non-issue.
"Minority unemployment is much higher than white unemployment. Minority incarceration is much disproportionate to the white community. Minority drop outs from high school is much higher. And it would be nice if the Messenger-Inquirer would focus its attention on things that actually impact the minority community rather than this statue," said President Evan Taylor. He says the statue is a way to remember the past, and while slavery may be immoral, he says the veterans should be represented.
"At the time, those folks were fighting for what they believed was right and we think veterans' service should be honored in almost all its forms in this country," Taylor said. While many say removing this statue would be revising history, Moreland says it's a piece of history that he wishes could be forgotten.
"It's time for us to change and get with what American really stands for and remove that statue as soon as possible," he said.
Wilkins tells Eyewitness News he just wanted to express his opinion, and didn't expect the topic to get this much feedback.
Comments
Steve Moreland said some of the funniest things I have read in a long time. I hate to break it to you, Steve, but George Washington owned slaves. So did Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. I don't think they would be too upset about what the Confederate soldier represents either; He fought for the same idea that the founders fought; Governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed. When government no longer serves the purpose for which it was created, it is the right and duty of the governed to replace or change it. Kentucky left the Union because the federal government occupied the state.
John W.
September 13, 2012 at 6:48 pm
The vast majority of those who fought for the South fought for their constitutional rights and to repel an invading army. They fought against great odds and held out for four years before a barbarous and traitorous opponent prevailed. No one should deny their heroism even if one might disagree with their cause. Indeed, we are seeing the fruits of their defeat today in an all powerful federal government that governs WITHOUT the consent of the governed. What this country needs are MORE tributes to the men in gray who fought for the Founder Fathers' vision, not less.
Valerie P.
September 13, 2012 at 7:55 am
How far is too far. This just represents Owensboro's history. What's next, removing the whole slavery and confederate movement from textbooks and acting as if if doesn't exist because it represents slavery?
Krystal S.
September 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm
this is just another thing for people to ge up in the air about can,t yall just be happy that statue habeen there along time and nobody has gotten hurt and nobody will leave it a lone and there will be something else for you to b---- about later
Kathie W.
September 12, 2012 at 4:41 pm
