Confederate names and statues.
The resolution aligns with previous California legislation passed in 2015 and 2016, which sought to erase references to Confederate leaders from state-owned properties. The enactment of SJR14 could lead to significant changes, emphasizing the necessity of addressing outdated symbols that perpetuate a legacy of racial division. Though resolutions like this do not impose legal obligations, they signal strong political and ideological stances that could influence future legislative actions at both state and federal levels regarding public memorials and their implications on societal attitudes towards race.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 14, authored by Glazer, addresses the names and statues associated with Confederate leaders across federally owned properties in the United States. The resolution urges Congress and the President to rename any federal buildings, streets, parks, or military bases that currently bear the names of these leaders. It further requests the removal of any statues representing Confederate figures from the United States Capitol placing them in museums where they can be properly contextualized within American history. This measure highlights California's commitment to combating racial inequality and the legacies of slavery that continue to affect society today.
The sentiment surrounding SJR14 appears to be overwhelmingly positive among those advocating for social justice and racial equality. Many view it as a vital step toward healing historical wounds and recognizing the continued struggles against racism in America. However, there are groups who perceive such moves as erasing history. Tensions have surfaced around discussions on whether removing these names and statues equates to denying history or whether it is a necessary reevaluation of what America stands for today.
The resolution is a response to a backdrop of national conversations ignited by events such as the violent Charlottesville protests and the ongoing debates about accountability for America's racist past. Critics of the resolution might argue that this erasure undermines historical education. Nevertheless, proponents firmly believe that the presence of Confederate tributes in public spaces reinforces discrimination, linking current public sentiments back to historical oppression and societal inequalities.