The flag was originally intended to symbolize the racial oppression central to the Confederacy. But it has always been a symbol of white power and racial oppression. When it has been revived by later generations, they, too, have imbued it with meaning. From the moment it was designed it was intended to convey the South’s reliance on the institution of slavery. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.The notion that the flag is a symbol of Southern heritage and nothing more is an ahistorical one. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information. (SOUNDBITE OF DOWNSTREAMDREAM'S "MAYBE TOMORROW")Ĭopyright © 2022 NPR. For now, they say just the fact that they're gone is something the city can be proud of.įor NPR News, I'm Jahd Khalil in Richmond. Hill and his fellow statues? Museum curators are seeking community input on that. Another question - what will be the ultimate fate of A.P. KHALIL: That's a question the city is working out. SMITH: Some of them are asking, you know, now that the statue's come down, what can we put up instead? School administrator Alana Smith stands with her students. A crane lifts the statue onto a nearby flatbed truck. KHALIL: Back at the site of the removal, the smell of burning metal wafts down into the crowd. HARRIS: We hopefully will do the best thing to hopefully put them in a context that is acceptable and thoughtful for everybody. Harris says they're taking the responsibility seriously. KHALIL: The city gave the Black History Museum ownership of all the monuments removed in 2020. HARRIS: We had never seen monuments that large. The first stop at Monument Avenue left him aghast, he says. KHALIL: Harris remembers taking a tour of the city when he first arrived in 1988. MONROE HARRIS: Being African American, and someone taking you to see some Confederate generals - it just - it was mind-blowing. Monroe Harris is the acting director of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. KHALIL: Confederate monuments eventually became a symbol of the city of Richmond. To really twist the public's understanding and perception of the cause for the Civil War, which was, of course, slavery. KHALIL: Christina Vida is the curator of the Valentine Museum in Richmond. The last time was in 1891, when Confederate descendants were trying to write their version of history.ĬHRISTINA VIDA: They use monuments as part of this misinformation campaign. This isn't the first time these remains were moved. KHALIL: Months ago, indirect descendants of Hill's challenged the city's plans for the statue. School administrator Alana Smith (ph) says the occasion was a chance for a hard conversation with her students.ĪLANA SMITH: This was really a beautiful opportunity to say, hey, something amazing is happening. That's because the general's remains are believed to be inside. Virginia had to pass a state law to remove most statues, but this last one was different. KHALIL: Workers are removing a statue of Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill, known here as A.P. JAHD KHALIL, BYLINE: On this cold Monday morning, dozens of students are watching history from Richmond's North Side neighborhood. Jahd Khalil of VPM News brings us this story about the removal this week of the very last city-owned statue. It's a process that was set in motion two years ago, after demonstrators began toppling them during racial justice protests. The city of Richmond, Va., is almost done removing dozens of statues of Confederate monuments.
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