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While most have found enlightenment and recognize that systemic racism exists in our society, there are those who are unwilling to admit that symbols promoting it have been on public display.

Some are fighting tooth and nail to defend what they refer to as heritage and history, created and erected by a white society during years when being openly racist was acceptable.

Even in our own time, racists are finding it easier to reveal themselves, no longer needing to wear white robes and masks, or to gather in small numbers locally.

The internet and social media platforms has allowed them to gather in larger numbers, emboldening them to believe that the masses think as they do, as they digitally reinforce each others beliefs with retweets and comments.

With a President who thinks as they do, they feel especially empowered to come out of the shadows.

Take for example, Constable Tricia Mezzacappa, who is no longer hiding the fact that she supports racists and is against the black lives matter movement that seeks social change and equal treatment from law enforcement.

Like most on the extreme right of the political spectrum unable to accept change, her personal dog whistle to other racists is that whites – those who understand the inherent insult statues honoring treasonous slave owners present to minorities – are anti-American.

To be a person of color and demonstrate against symbols of racism is even worse in Mezzacappa’s bizarro world, because she sees no problem in police using excessive force and sees no systemic racism displayed in numerous statues. She classifies all demonstrators as members of Antifa.

The statue of Stephen Foster, pictured above, would be no problem for Mezzacappa, who is unable to see the obvious with the statue. No doubt, she would argue, I see a teacher giving music lessons to a student. Not racist, you Libtard!

Actually, the statue honors Stephen Foster. He wrote the songs, “Oh Suzanna,” “Camptown Races,” as well as numerous others used in blackface minstrels.

Nothing racist about a black man in raggedy clothing, happily playing a banjo beneath a well-dressed and scholarly looking white guy, right?

These are the the types of statues that minorities find offensive and I shouldn’t have to explain why. Erected around the turn of the 20th century, white society had no problem with the imagery and blacks weren’t asked to give an opinion.

Imagine yourself as a black person today, having to pass by that statue in your local park. Can you honestly say you wouldn’t be offended by how your race is depicted?

Was Stephen Foster a racist? I don’t know, but the statue promotes racism through its design. Was it really necessary to include the figure of the old black banjo player, happily grinning at the feet of Foster?

And just because Mezzacappa has used the N-word doesn’t make her a racist. She has a black friend to prove it. Obviously, not the one she accused of pointing a gun at her head, resulting in her facing trial for filing a false police report, but she has one, according to her.

Mezzacappa states those of us who see problems with some statues and monuments all hate America, Americans, and everything American, if we think they should be removed. She calls us all flag burners, thinking those arguments are valid because somebody in higher office says the same thing.

While she and those like her wrap themselves in red, white, and blue bunting, calling everyone else terrorists, they conveniently forget what America stands for.

Freedom to peacefully demonstrate and the opportunity to seek change.

Racists like Constable Mezzacappa don’t seem to comprehend that statues are only symbols. They are erected to honor individuals for achievements, often relating to the betterment of the individual’s own community, their state, their country, or the world.

But, sometimes statues and monuments are erected honoring an individual as a political statement, or before facts are brought to light that would have changed public opinion toward the individual.

In the case of Columbus statues, not only the one in Easton, but throughout the country, they were erected in an era before facts of Columbus’ atrocities were widely known by the public, just as the day honoring him was quickly rushed through Congress, before being fully vetted as worthy of a national holiday.

Confederate statues, when you think about it, actually pay tribute to those who committed treason against the United States. These men took up arms against their country and fought to preserve slavery in their home states.

The reason those states seceded from the Union was to keep their slaves from being freed, which they expected would eventually be coming from a Lincoln administration. You only need to read the CSA Constitution, ratified by all the seceding states.

From The Constitution of The Confederacy:

Article I Section 9(4) No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law denying or impairing the right of property in negro slaves shall be passed.

The statues and monuments erected to confederate leaders and their military are a reminder to citizens with black heritage, that men who considered blacks to be property they owned are being hailed as heroes. Men who fought against the Union, to keep their forefathers in slavery.

When were most of these statues erected?

The vast majority came at the start of Jim Crow laws, funded by local governments at first, and then by the Ku Klux Klan at the height of that organization’s membership and wealth. A resurgence of new confederate statues and monuments then appeared during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Looking at the graph, it is easy enough to see the correlation between racist statues/monuments and the racism prevalent in white society, when white supremacy was challenged, or threatened.

The fact is, those who want statues removed aren’t trying to erase, or rewrite history.  However, they would like some honesty.

Dishonesty goes to those who think these racist monuments and statues are learning tools, invite discussion, and honor our heritage.

Only a cRaZy person would think Columbus was, “A Man of Faith, Hope and Vision,” or that he discovered America, which is the lie placed on the Columbus statue in Easton.

Want to keep the statue as a teaching opportunity and part of heritage that promotes discussion?

Then put an honest plaque on it that reveals the true history of Columbus. Be sure to include genocide, slave trading, murder, torture, and the rest of his crimes against humanity.