No Traveling for New York's Columbus Statue, Mayor Decides
- by Leona Burton
- in World Media
- — Jan 13, 2018
Instead, the commission says historical information should be added for context. The commission recommended that it be placed there without its pedestal, with an explanatory plaque informing the public on the monument's origins, as well as information on the legacy of nonconsensual medical experimentation on women of color.
That's because the statue at Columbus Circle is staying put.
A statue of Christopher Columbus, credited for being among the first to colonize North America, will remain in a New York City park, said a commission tasked with gathering public feedback about the 15th century Italian explorer also known for atrocities against native populations.
The panel also made a slew of recommendations for how to judge which historical figures are monument-worthy going forward, and which additional statues should be subjected to review for removal.
More news: CES 2018: Google announces Assistant for Smart Displays, Android Auto and more"While, as I've said numerous times before, I don't believe a statue commission was a good use of taxpayer money and government time, I am pleased to learn that the committee has decided that the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle should remain".
Last year, de Blasio set up a commission to review the city's statues and monuments amid violence stemming from a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va.
Some Staten Island politicians celebrated the news, while others lamented over the commission, which they believe was a waste of taxpayer money. "And we'll be taking a hard look at who has been left out and seeing where we can add new work to ensure our public spaces reflect the diversity and values of our great city". "You can't change history".
The commission recommended moving the controversial statue of J. Marion Sims, now in Central Park, to Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
More news: Winter weather advisory issued for region"The recommendation to add historical markers to many of our city's statues in most cases strikes an appropriate balance, preserving art that is meaningful to many New Yorkers while explaining the context, that these historic figures have not always acted in a way that deserves veneration".
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island, Brooklyn, ) who unsuccessfully challenged de Blasio previous year, called the city's decision "a victory for Italian-Americans and those who appreciate his contributions and recognize the explorer represents the immigrant experience".
The MAC said it will work with the museum to provide on-site signage and educational programming that will give interpretations of the sculptor's intentions and also "explore commissioning a new artwork in the vicinity to further those dialogues".
The 18-member commission included entertainer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, World Trade Center memorial designer Michael Arad, Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell, and other academics, artists and writers.
More news: Paul Ryan Calls Trump 'Shithole' Comments 'Very Unfortunate, Unhelpful'Columbus, whose potential removal sparked significant blowback against de Blasio from the Italian-American community, will be joined by a large-scale monument to indigenous peoples - potentially in nearby Central Park, officials said. "I don't think this commission was particularly worthwhile, but hopefully now we can all move on with our lives".
