One cannot deny that historical figures such as Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis assisted the cause of white supremacy and the oppression of Blacks. Consequently, it stands to reason that historical monuments honoring these individuals further entrench their power and legacy and influence how history is remembered in public spaces.

The Jefferson Davis Monument reminds us of one aspect of our past — a racist regime and an exclusionary America. We also need statues and monuments honoring the many contributions Blacks have made throughout Brownsville’s history. If we keep monuments like “The Rock” to remind us of historical atrocities, then where are the reminders of the hardships Blacks endured day to day (for ex., segregation, lynchings, and rape) versus the privileged lives of the Whites? Furthermore, what about the other cultures or ethnicities living in Brownsville? Why are their experiences silenced?

If history is what the present chooses to remember about the past, as historian Carl Becker argued, then what does it say about Brownsville if we choose to keep the Jefferson Davis monument in Washington Square or even a local museum? Brownsville’s history and culture is far more complex, diverse and inclusive than what the Jefferson Davis monument represents. Why should we keep a memorial of someone who has no personal connection to Brownsville and who historians haven’t even found records to corroborate that he was in the state of Texas? For that reason, it’s my opinion that we should get rid of The Rock and start a dialogue of justice, equality, peace and hope.

Nurith Galonsky

Brownsville City Commissioner, District 1

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