Theodore Roosevelt Statue Outside American Museum Of Natural History Will Be Removed

[ny_quant]

The statue was meant to celebrate Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) as a devoted naturalist and author of works on natural history ... An avid conservationist and big game hunter, he is perhaps best known for his environmental legacy: He expanded the National Parks System and established 150 national forests, five national parks and 51 federal bird reserves, according to the U. S. Department of the Interior. After his presidency, Roosevelt with his son Kermit mounted an East African big game expedition to hunt and collect hundreds of scientific specimens for the Smithsonian Institution collections, including a white rhino, which today is exhibited at the National Museum of Natural History.

Comments

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

It is pretty obviously racist.

[ny-quant.livejournal.com]

How come it wasn't obvious for 80 years?

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

It was acceptable 80 years ago. Now not so much -- things change, in this case for the better.

[ny-quant.livejournal.com]

It was still acceptable 2 years ago.

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

Clearly a statue like that could not be erected two years ago. There is a big difference between leaving a statue in place and actively removing it. I don't have a particular opinion on when/what statues should be removed, but it seems like a reasonable decision to me.

Personally, I think making an exhibit explaining the context and the history of the statue is the best solution, rather than simply taking it away. Even statues to horrible characters, like Lenin, could be kept as long as a proper context is provided.

[ny-quant.livejournal.com]

// Personally, I think making an exhibit explaining the context and the history of the statue is the best solution, rather than simply taking it away.

OK! I'd make an exception for mass murderers like Lenin, though.

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

I agree that most of the statues to outright criminals should be removed (although the definition of a criminal is somewhat vague, many generals would surely qualify). Still, some can be made into learning exhibits.

[spamsink]

It is more obviously speciesist. Why hasn't PETA complained about such a blatant oppression of animals?

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

I would be happy to never see a statue of some guy on a horse again.

[spamsink]

That's easy to achieve by blinding yourself.

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

I thought you would suggest a guillotine. All fine methods but not without certain drawbacks.

[spamsink]

I thought that, preferring to communicate in English, you know it well enough to do it competently.

Hint:

blind (verb) ... to make sightless permanently,temporarily, or momentarily

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

I don't think the expression to blind yourself means losing your sight temporarily.

[spamsink]

If you knew that "to blind" could mean losing your sight temporarily, why would you choose to take it in a meaning which is unfavorable to you?

[oldkettle.livejournal.com]

Care to elaborate or is like pornography?

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

A white explorer on his horse followed by nearly naked helpers or servants on foot? What part of it is hard to get?

[spamsink]

Are you implying that near-nakedness or walking on foot is shameful? Who taught you that idea?

[oldkettle.livejournal.com]

Have you ever seen similar sculptures where people around the central figure are of the same colour yet wearing less luxurious clothes? I hope you have and will be able to explain why these are / are not racially / socially or otherwise acceptable.
I personally see these people as somebody who made his adventure possible, companions, sherpas of sorts, and not shown in a demeaning way at all. They are not being conquered nor are they listening to their big white master with love or fear on their faces. He is grateful for their help as he should be. Same as the military leader and his troops for example. But then I don't look for reasons to feel offended.

[misha-b.livejournal.com]

We have to look at specific compositions to discuss them, in this one it is pretty obvious that "colored" people of different races are playing a subservient role. It is clear to me why the museum does not want to have it near the entrance.

[muh2.livejournal.com]

Its pretty obviously realist.