andigger Posted 16 February , 2004 Share Posted 16 February , 2004 At the risk of bringing up controversial current events, I wanted to let the forum know about a debate going on here in Va/Md about the bridge that memorializes our Great War leader. Since 1961 the Woodrow Wilson Bridge has been a major traffic artery connecting Maryland and Virginia. There is a current road construction project to overhaul the bridge so that it can carry current traffic loads. Well the state of Maryland wants the large medallions with Wilson's image moved to the Virginia side of the bridge, because they find Wilson's racial policies offensive. True in retrospect, Wilson's policies were reprehensible, but at the time his views (unfortunately) were very contemporary with other leaders. There is no move to rename the bridge, the Marylanders only want the medallions moved to the Virginia side of the bridge. My opinion is that many great historical figures have opinions that would be controversial in today's world. In fact, many of today's leaders may have view, policies, and opinions we find acceptable but would make generations 100 years from now cringe. How then should we memorialize people who really do make significant contributions to history, but who like all humans have flaws? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...-2004Feb15.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyHollinger Posted 17 February , 2004 Share Posted 17 February , 2004 Just a fact of life, I suppose. Many leaders and soldiers for that matter will not stand the test of PC ... Like the Stars and Bars as part of a State Flag, it's the way of the world to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 17 February , 2004 Share Posted 17 February , 2004 At the risk of contravening the "no contemporary politcis" rule, I think a generation can only act as it sees fit. From my side of the pond, I know that the past history of Empire is rewritten or, at least, re-interpreted to suit the political climate (and the needs of a perceived political correctness). Across the world, many countries' current leaders, policies and actions are memorialised on to be "torn down" in a comparitively short space of time. The examples I will use are the former communist countries of eastern Europe. There was a recent documentary on British TV. It was about a scandanavian documentary maker who had followed the lives of children born in the former East Germany some 50 years ago. My recollection was that he had made a programme every 10 years. The strong theme coming from this edition was that the people - in some cases grandparents - regretted the passing of the former regime in many ways. In particular, there was much increased unemployment and a feeling that economic priority was still given to the western regions. Within the pages of this Forum, there is a regular debate about the position of the Shot at Dawn soldiers. Should they be pardoned? Should they be included on memorials? Does this re-write history? Would that be a good thing? I do not intend that these remarks shoudl, again, open the debate here, but rather that the issue of "History - right or wrong" affects even our small part of the world. (PS; Andigger - can we assume that Virginia is taking a different view to Maryland in this matter?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andigger Posted 17 February , 2004 Author Share Posted 17 February , 2004 John, Actually Wilson was from Virginia, so although Virginia has 'no opinion' as of yet, it would be fairly safe to assume that they would have no problem with placing the medallions on their side. A few additional details.... Actually it is the particular county in Maryland that wants the medallions moved. I am not sure the state of Maryland itself has taken a particular stand. Prince George's County (the county's name is possesive) is predominantly black, so they find it particularly offensive rather than at the state level which is predominately white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyHollinger Posted 17 February , 2004 Share Posted 17 February , 2004 Its been my long time opinion that Virginians are particularily possessive about their "history" ... they were once the most important place in America and it's hard being an also ran, suburb to DC as it is today. Wilson was the last Virginian as president and will be revered as that if for no other reason. IF it doesn't cost too much and nobody with a loud voice gets wind of it, the medallions will go up ... But, remember everything RACE in the US gets treated with kid gloves. We act guilty, we should feel guilty .... and we never really figured out how to deal with the subject well. Maybe nobody has. It will be interesting as America turns increasinly brown how things work out. In my American History class ... I teach there are four basic themes to American History: Local vrs Central Liberty (expansion of rights,etc.) vrs Order (support for the established population) Opportunity vrs Security Race Every question can be answered using these four themes ... Wilson's racial policy was hardly a major theme in his establishment of the Progressive Impulse in American life ... he and Roosevelt made Progressivism what it is today ... but, because of the Race issue, much of what he gave and accomplished has a tarnish ... its like Robert E. Lee ... well, besides fighting for the losing side, the underlying racial issues make it hard to publically revere him ... Race is had to deal with when you've got the US' history ... It will be interesting to see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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