Museum of Infamy

Jefferson Davis headed for storage.

As the arc of history lengthens, our expanding perspective on past values and behaviors reshapes current attitudes. This process of accumulating reference is continuous and slow, so slow as to be imperceptible. But social changes can happen quickly when building pressure reaches a threshold and opinions that were once widely held become untenable to a portion of the masses. 

This is happening now with the widespread toppling (or peaceful removal) of statues depicting protagonists in some of America's most obviously racist or oppressive chapters. Not everyone is happy about this and a common defense of the statues suggests they we need them to "teach history" so that it may not be repeated.

Imaginary reader Jordan Bell summarized the debate in an eloquent Facebook essay where he noted that statues may be used to "teach or educate," but their intent is to "celebrate." Given that we have many means of teaching, with statues falling low on the list of most effective methods, we should be mindful of this distinction. We need not celebrate symbols that seemed laudable at an earlier time in history, but with the benefit of reflection, we now know to be unworthy of public honor.

So like it or not, statues of historical figures who achieved popularity through acts of oppression, racism, or other unsavory deeds, are coming down. The question is, "what to do with them all?" Collectively, we are talking about thousands of works of art, all with historical significance, representing important aspects of our civil evolution, and fashioned with immense artistic skill. It is understandable why some do not wish to see these statues destroyed.

I suggest we display them in a thoughtfully curated "Museum of Infamy". 

Our state and local governments already have a great number of statues in storage (with a great number more slated for imminent arrival). They are stored and protected using tax-payer money, but are unlikely to ever again see the light of day. Collectively, they surely hold some educational value, especially if theme-based statues and artifacts could be viewed and studied with regard to a particular historical narrative. 

Perhaps such a museum could satisfy both sides of the current debate; the statues will not be glorified by public display, but will be available for viewing by those who wish to learn from them.