There are so many monuments all over the world that represents a significant event or a tribute to a person.Also monuments can portray a message or powerful meaning. However, some monuments may cause controversy against people personal beliefs or portray a racism and hate.In the reaction of these controversy people start protesting to have these monuments removed but there should be a criteria that benefits the reason why such actions should be taken inconsideration

The first criteria for a monument is if a monument is portraying a racist or a hate belief to an ethnic group it should be taken down.Today there is a lot of racial injustice still going on and these monuments represents these issue which we shouldn’t be looking back on.For instance confederate monuments such as Robert E Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia there was a violent protest against this monument to be removed because of its racist history of minorities.White Supremacist were violently protesting for the monument to not be removed because it was part of them. The result in this protest ended life of many or injured some.Also is New York more plaques that honored Robert E Lee were removed after threats from people. Removing all Robert E Lee monuments would stop portraying his racism and hate towards minorities.

Another criteria for monuments is do it portray a positive message or negative.Monuments usually represents positive influencers or message which people find it interesting.For example the Christopher Columbus monument which is located in Central Park, people painted his hands red to symbolize the genocide and slavery he committed against the Native Americans.People usually look at Christopher Columbus for discovering “America” but don’t know about his negative actions.He captured a lot of natives and brought them back to Spain and sold them.With that being said this monument should be taken because it’s doesn’t symbolize any good of Christopher Columbus.It might be history but it doesn’t show any positive message or sympathy towards natives.

Not only monuments can cause controversy but it can affect people commute or invade public space.Yes, people may love a monuments that catches an eye but it may cause a distraction such as crowds which could delay someone from getting where they suppose to.Big monuments that invade public space should be moved to a museum where people go view them,especially tourists because there mostly the ones that are amused about monuments and it’s meaning behind it.Moving monuments to museums would benefit people commute and for the monument itself because some people don’t care about monuments.

In conclusion these are some criteria that best fit the status of whether a monument should be taken down or moved to a different location.A monument should be taken down if it is portraying racism to any ethnic group of people.Also if a monument is portraying a negative message or history it should be taken down.Some monuments that interrupt people commute or public space should be moved to a museum where people can go visit interests crowding sidewalks.

Cite:

1) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/16/us/confederate-monumentshttps://     

New York Times

2)  www.google.com/amp/s/www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/updates/robert-e-lee-opposed-confederate-monuments-removed.html