Confederate monuments and American citizenship

In recent years, debates over the appropriateness of public monuments celebrating Confederate figures have become increasingly common. Along with exposing deep racial divides, these debates have brought to light historical attitudes and structures built on enduring notions of white supremacy.

While generally taking place in local contexts, they have ramifications that concern all Americans. They have the potential to provide new space for the dismantling of white supremacy. But such dismantling does not come easily.

The First Amendment empowers attitudes of hatred and disregard for the plight of others; it also gives power and voice to the weak and downtrodden. It allows for symbols of hate and social injustice like the Confederate flag, while also permitting oppressed and targeted groups to rise up in activism to eradicate societal ignorance and vice. Such mixed notions have defined the American spirit, from the colonial protests aimed at British occupation of ports to the birth of #blacklivesmatter.