WHAT WE SAID ABOUT THE TOPPLING OF JEFFERSON STATUE

"I think it a shame that the Jefferson statue has been torn down. Jefferson should be honored for the good he did, and the rest noted in the history books. If we start destroying statues of all non-perfect people, virtually every statue will be destroyed. For example, in the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln said: 'I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, [applause] ... I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will for ever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.' While Lincoln said this, I would much rather remember Lincoln for his Emancipation Proclamation. Thanks for letting us know what has happened to the Jefferson statue. I hope it will be restored with recognition of the mistakes as well as the good Jefferson did."

"Yes, I did miss it. Thank you for sharing. How sad. I think someday people will be really sorry our historical statues were destroyed. What a waste".

"We don't need statues anyway. Time to go."

"So sad!  Jefferson never believed slavery was a good thing, and wanted to see owning slaves abolished. I am sure he would be happy that the future solved the situation even though today there is much work that still needs to be accomplished. 'All men are created equal' written by him in the Declaration of Independence. He did so many great things.  History cannot be erased, but can help the future so it does not happen again."

"...shameful"

"Thank you. Sad, but’s long overdue."

"I saw that on the news.  My thinking is, come on, that's going too far as well as possibly changing the name because he was a slave owner."

"I did miss it. I find all of this very disturbing in so many ways, feel the protesting is such a vital way for People to express their frustration and disappointment for the lack of meaningful progress in realizing an improvement, but also regret...those who feel vandalism and destruction of property and pieces of who we are as a nation. Yes, Jefferson was a slaveholder (rather a notorious one in a way), but he also realized and was instrumental in establishing a country with a strong though flawed base. He seemed to visualize an ideal union whether it was instituted then or not. The 1700s were a different time, but he saw what it should be."

"Very sad, and it reminded...me how complicated the issues are that our nation is dealing with right now. I don't believe the confederate symbols belong in public places, but when it hits so close to home to have them destroyed, it is difficult to remain objective. I wonder what our African American classmates think about losing our school's namesake?"

 "It is ironic the damage was done by people who claim to want to stop damages via peaceful means."

"Yes, people differ in how they see things. However I don't think I will consider Jefferson a symbol of the Confederacy. There is an NPR radio program featuring a Jefferson scholar who looks at contemporary issues as Jefferson would have. He doesn't think of Jefferson as a symbol of the Confederacy, either. Thanks again for sharing this."

"I'm really impressed by the thoughtfulness of the comments. Do we know who was responsible? The name Jefferson and the statue as a symbol has festered with many for awhile. The more recent revelations of his relationship with Sally Hemings has also been problematical. Here's a question: Wasn't Neil's photo taken down from the statehouse after it was revealed he had had sexual relations with an underage girl? I can't remember. I do think Jeff's siteing in the center of 'Albina' is a thorn in the side of those of us concerned about racial prejudice. In some ways, it may be generational."

"Toppling the statue of Thomas Jefferson won’t solve anything.  There were many slave owners that were never mentioned in history.  We can’t solve problems by destruction.  First things first.  Racial bias and hatred are the problems.  When we learn to forgive like the Bible says and start loving everyone for who they are, human beings,  we will start making progress.  Forgiveness is greater than resentment and Love is more powerful than hatred.  I believe it."

"I’d like to see Mr. Jefferson’s statue replaced and joined by one of Frederick Douglass – along with a curriculum addressing the society each had to contend with."