The Logic of Fools

gonna leave it up to you...

The Logic of Fools

 

Why not pin something on Nelson

Then we can tear his statue down

 

Maybe then

 

We can turn on Churchill, or Jesus

Hey, let’s all really go to f*****g town

 

Then maybe when

 

We think the whole world is looking

And when there aint nothing better to do

Yeah maybe then

We can try and change history

By breaking and de-facing a monument or two

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Tis a funny old world .. maybe history has something to do with it..

Reviews

[Brian Shepard]

Seems legit...Whenever I'm upset about social inequality and racist violence my go to move is to burn s**t. Preferably the homes and businesses of people unrelated to whatever incident threw me off. As for attacking icons of the past and retconing my immediate outrage so that it spills backwards in time? I'm all for it. F**k the past that never bothered me until now. Now is where it's at. Whatever we do though- let's not look in the mirror because personal accountability is super lame. Pick a target and burn it down. Rather progressive dontcha think? Great read sir.

[Neville]

I like the cut of your jib squire and so bloomin true.. many big thanks to ya for the support, encouragement and understanding.. All Good Things,

Neville

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I agree with this...statues are part of history good or bad...and hopefully some of the bad we learn from and the good we embrace.
But burning things down and knocking down others...that doesn't really change what's in the hearts...that is where we need the real change.

[Neville]

How true, thank you jacob..

N

[Papaya]

The past is like a brick wall that we've constantly got our backs up against.
We can't knock it over to go back in time but hey, why not try to move on with a different perspective, enlightened by what we've learned.

[Neville]

I like your 'why not try to move on with a different perspective, enlightened by what we've learned'. I can live with that... Cheers

Neville

[Papaya]

:) cheers

[Neville]

...............................................Nastrave :)

[Eilis]

I have a bit of a different take on this. Being from the American South, I know that many of the monuments being contested were erected in the first place to celebrate or assert the superiority of whites and to intimidate those who were not white. A lot of the Civil War monuments were erected during segregation and when Civil Rights leaders were working toward equality. Just like Jim Crow laws were instated to make it more difficult for non-white people to enjoy the 'equality' that they were supposed to have under the law.

So, it's a bit of a coming to terms with the actual past and not looking at it through only one lens. I saw the most wonderful photo of a young Pueblo man dancing on top of a toppled statue pedestal. The statue honored a colonizer who had ordered the massacre of hundreds of native people and the mutilation of dozens of tribal warriors. For the native tribes of the US, the abuse and oppression has never stopped. So, for the people who have suffered under a system for hundreds of years, these symbolic victories mean so much.

I understand the desire to preserve history too, though. I am a history major and lover of history, and also understand how important it is that we don't forget. But, I think we have reached a point in history where we have to learn to hear what all sides are saying and try to make amends for the past in what ways we can. Symbols are symbols. They are not the history itself. The history lives on and is perpetuated or usurped by the people. So, I see this as a watershed moment in history where we have to try and make the future more safe and comfortable for everyone. And that naturally means some things will have to change. But those changes don't change the past or us as a people. They are only symbolic of our readiness to move forward.

This is my point of view on the matter. These are difficult times we are living in. Difficult for all of us, I think. Good topic for discussion, Neville.

[Neville]

cor blimey missus what have I perpetuated.. firstly, I thank you for the incredibly detailed and well thought through argument on behalf of the oppressed and subjugated.. secondly, it seems we are not necessarily thinking from directly opposing corners, in fact your review reinforces many of my own thoughts and beliefs .. I am very much aware of some of the awful atrocities committed by the British throughout history, indeed there is probably not a race that is totally innocent of such blame.. Rather than bang on and try to justify this particular post further coz I got to go out, I shall copy and paste an earlier response to try and round this one off.. :)

...and next it could be the pyramids.. since they were built by slaves of all colours and ethnicities who were subsequently sold on to slave traders of all colours and races.. and so on... obviously a very touchy subject but I find it impossible to accept blame or apologise for what my distant ancestors may or may not have done.. I may not like or agree with it, but hey, we can not change history.. we can only try to make the future fairer, safer and better.. and for everyone regardless of their heritage and or differences... thanks, and I still luv ya :)

Neville

[Eilis]

I should clarify, I'm not an advocate for erasure or destruction, and I know there are zealots on both sides. I just have watched things my whole life here and felt a bit helpless to do good. I understand your perspective perfectly, Neville. I just wish we could find some middle road where different sides could agree on how to proceed in a way that suits both perspectives. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

[Neville]

I would be more than happy to raise my glass to that universal endeavour

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Aw blimey. You gone and done it now. Our history is our history. Leave it alone. Some of our history is unsavoury by modern standards, but you can't wipe out the past. You learn from it. Once the statues are down, then come the buildings, the removing of artefacts and the burning of books. We've seen it all before with Dictators and where did it all end? If they pick on Churchill, then they have to accept Mandela wasn't a Saint either. Then what about old Henry the eigth? The next lot will want him erased because he was a misogynist. It had to be said Neville, and you have gone and done it here and said it well to boot.

Chris.

[Neville]

and next it could be the pyramids.. since they were built by slaves of all colours and ethnicities who were subsequently sold on to slave traders of all colours and races.. and so on... obviously a very touchy subject but I find it impossible to accept blame or apologise for what my distant ancestors may or may not have done.. I may not like or agree with it, but hey, we can not change history.. we can only try to make the future fairer, safer and better.. and for everyone regardless of their heritage and or differences... thanks Chris

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Totally agree with everything you have said. It's the future that should concern us, not three hundred years in the past that we had nothing to do with. Also I believe in democracy and not mob rule which seems to be playing a part in some demonstrations.

[Neville]

I wholeheartedly agree, but like I told Gee.. if they dont leave my garden gnomes alone.. its gonna be all out war :)

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. I just scrolled down to Gee's post. National elf eh? Are you serious about a defaced gnome in your garden?

[Neville]

is the Pope Argentinian.. do I look like a gnome kinda guy :)

[Neville]

and please dont say the F word..

[Chris Shaw]

Thought not. But you can never be sure. Some people have some strange fetishes :) oops I used an f word

[Neville]

whose been talkin

[Chris Shaw]

:))........

[Gee]

Surely folk would never do that...surely not !
Folk will take umbrage cos they can not because it needed.
Keep them coming Neville :))

[Neville]

I sincerely hope they do stop doing it.. one of my garden gnomes was defaced the other day.. summat about the National Elf Service.. I know its a lot to ask but if we could all dispense with isms and adopt a more peaceful and mutually respectful understanding of each other.. I think the world would be a happier place.. Okay, every now and then some fookin virus or summat is going to come along.. but maybe we could all fight it together and co-operate more and stuff...

Gee it is really good to have you back sir

Neville