Leave statue in Phoenix Park
To the editor:
The Confederate monument located in Phoenix Park in Waycross, Georgia, has stood for more than a century as part of the city's historical landscape.
While Confederate monuments have become controversial in recent years, there are strong arguments for preserving this monument rather than removing it. Keeping the statue in place preserves local history, honors the memory of soldiers from Ware County, and allows communities to engage with their past rather than erase.
First, the monument represents an important part of Waycross and Ware County’s history. The statue was erected in 1910 by the Francis S. Bartow Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy to honor local men who fought and died in the Civil War.
At the time, many Confederate veterans were still alive, and communities across the South were building memorials to remember their local soldiers. These monuments became part of the historical identity of towns like Waycross. Removing the statue would erase a visible reminder of how earlier generations chose to remember their past.
Second, the monument specifically commemorates soldiers from Ware County rather than political leaders of the Confederacy. Many of the men remembered by the monument were ordinary farmers, laborers, and woodmen who enlisted in Georgia regiments during the Civil War.
They left their homes and families to fight in a conflict that shaped the nation’s history. Regardless of modern views on the Confederacy, these individuals were part of the local community. For many residents, the monument is a memorial to ancestors and local history rather than a political statement.
Another argument for preserving the monument is that historical artifacts should be interpreted rather than removed. Monuments like the one in Phoenix Park can serve as tools for education and discussion about the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the complicated history of the South.
Instead of removing the statue, communities can add plaques or interpretive displays that explain the full historical context, including the causes of the war and the perspectives of different groups affected by it. This approach encourages learning and reflection rather than erasing historical evidence.
In addition, removing monuments can create a slippery slope regarding how societies treat historical symbols. Many historical figures and events are controversial when viewed through modern values.
If communities remove monuments whenever perspectives change, it becomes difficult to preserve an honest historical record. Keeping monuments in place allows people to confront history as it actually happened, even when that history is uncomfortable.
Finally, the monument has been part of Phoenix Park for more than 100 years, and has become a familiar landmark in downtown Waycross. It appears in historic photographs and on postcards, and has long been part of the city’s identity. Preserving it maintains continuity with the past and respects the historical character of the park.
In conclusion, the Confederate monument in Phoenix Park should remain in place because it preserves local history, honors the memory of Ware County soldiers, and provides an opportunity for education and reflection.
Rather than removing historical monuments, communities can use them as starting points for thoughtful discussion about the complex history of the Civil War and its lasting impact on the United States.
Jack Lott, Waycross
The Waycross Journal-Herald welcomes letters on any subject. Letters should be limited to 300 words, contain contact information of the writer and emailed to [email protected].
