It is better to explain why statues were put up than to destroy them

If we are to learn from or educate ourselves about that past, erect an explanation notice beside those statues.

On it explain why at the time it was that this person was honoured, why it was thought okay to erect a statue in their honour, who decided on erecting the statue, whether the faults of said person were known at the time, were their faults morally acceptable then and what has changed in society that considers this person not morally acceptable now.

In this way we might educate ourselves about some truths from our historical past and see how our priorities as a society and our moral judgements have changed over the years.

We might learn that some of our revered heroes have feet of clay and some of our reviled villains might have redeeming qualities. There will be surprises and disappointments in store for all, but we might learn something rather than wilful destruction.

Mary Russell, Dundalk