After the disgusting display of racism and hate in Charlottesville, Va., the community of Statesboro and Bulloch County want to stand against racism and white nationalism by removing the Confederate monument on the Bulloch County Courthouse lawn.

Glorifying the Confederacy long after the Civil War has passed fuels racism, white supremacy, and is a constant reminder of the oppression that is still evident throughout our county and country. The monument on the Bulloch County Courthouse lawn is one example of institutionalized racism and should be removed immediately.

It is our duty as human beings to be decent and respectful of one another. In order to do that we should dismantle systems of power that are fueling white nationalism. Monuments like this one valorize white supremacy and people of color should not have to endure that. 

The monument should be placed in a museum so that its historical significance can be observed by people who want to view purposely. This is not an attempt to erase history, but a stand for all Americans who endure hardship, especially by our political systems.