The Battle of Monument Avenue: Report No. 5

How fast will the Confederate memorial removal process ordered by Gov. Northam proceed? A telling first clue to answer to that question may be have been revealed by a fresh batch of signs that has been dropped off at the site of the Lee Monument. (See closeup below.)

There could be some good strategic reasons to begin to get ready for the removal job. First, I'm assuming a huge scaffolding needs to be built. Then the Sons of the Lost Cause, or some group, will probably initiate legal action to stop it, soon. If that comes, it could take a few weeks to get past that. So if Northam wants to do the physical work in early July, after the law will actually allow for it, maybe getting started now makes more sense.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday night a  group marched in led by the man in the bow tie.

Now is also the time to begin a constructive conversation about what to do with the empty spaces. My take is that Richmond needs to use this unique opportunity, following the historic peaceful demonstrations on Monument Avenue, to do the right thing in the same public spaces where we, the people, have seen the wrong thing being done for way too long. 

Rather than merely cheering on the process of removal -- and yes, there will be parties! -- Richmond's mayor and councilpersons should launch a project to use those empty spaces wisely. After all, something remarkable has happened in the Fan District in the last week: Truth and atonement won the Battle of Monument Avenue.  

Thus, rather than shrug off the integral role that marching peacefully and messaging -- signs and graffiti -- played in affecting a long overdue change, the City of Richmond should own it. The spell has been broken. 

At long last those Confederate memorials have lost their mojo. The Lee Monument was the first to go up. It was unveiled on May 29, 1890. Now it seems it will be the first to come down. 

That circle the bronze of Lee on horseback loomed over for 130 years should become a shrine to truth and atonement. It should be the centerpiece of an outdoor museum documenting what has happened here this week. Displays ought to further document the history of Richmond's struggle to throw off the cruel grip that "massive resistance" and Jim Crow once held on Richmond. Maybe a small amphitheater should be established in that circle for performances and speechifying. Maybe the four green median that flank the circle could be used, too. 

All that would become a nice tourist attraction and serve the neighborhood well. For a city that was once the second largest slave market in the USA, it would be a noteworthy step toward atonement. 

Rather than try to minimize the role of the demonstrators the city government should call for a celebration of the great victory that Richmond has won. The role of the demonstrators should be praised. Let's face the truth: They acted as modern patriots who dared to make their city a more likely place in which to pursue happiness and justice.  

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