General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: James Carville is speaking the hard truth [View all]andym
(5,443 posts)is an example of what Carville is talking about. It is a bridge too far that many in the USA will never accept. Why? Because almost NO historical figure could meet the modern standards of "wokeness." Even Jesus would fall short. The standard should be: did the figure or literary work do more good than harm or not in influencing our world today. If more good than please let them be-- it does not mean that any of their historical actions that we find unacceptable should not be questioned, just that they should not be unfairly targeted.
The removal of Washington or Lincoln's names also trivializes removing or at least deemphasizing symbols of people who should be held up as examples of how not to behave having caused far more harm than good during their lifetimes. Overall it actually harms the real fight for social justice, which involves truly achieving equal rights for everyone and justice for the oppressed.