Why Streets, Statues, & Universities Honoring Oppressors Face a Global Reckoning
Across the globe, a contentious debate rages over the names and likenesses that adorn our public spaces. Streets, parks, universities, rivers, and buildings often bear the names of historical figures whose legacies are increasingly viewed as shameful and offensive due to their deep involvement in slavery, colonial atrocities, and other severe human rights abuses. What was once a common practice of honoring powerful individuals, predominantly white European or colonial figures, is now meeting a powerful backlash from modern generations demanding that these tributes to perpetrators of “horrific things” be re-evaluated and, in many cases, removed.
A Legacy Etched in Stone and Signage
The historical practice of naming public infrastructure and institutions after prominent individuals often served to solidify the power structures and prevailing ideologies of the time. In colonial eras and in societies built on systems like slavery, this frequently meant that slave owners, staunch supporters of slavery, architects of brutal colonial regimes, and other figures who committed or enabled widespread oppression were immortalized in the very fabric of daily life.
From bustling city squares to serene university campuses, these names have served as constant, often unacknowledged, reminders of painful histories for marginalized communities. Critics argue that this widespread naming practice demonstrates a historical “obsession” with venerating individuals whose wealth and influence were directly derived from the exploitation and suffering of others, effectively normalizing and celebrating figures who should instead be condemned.
Global Flashpoints of Controversy and Change
The movement to reconsider these honorifics is a global phenomenon, with numerous examples highlighting the depth of feeling and the drive for change:
United States: The U.S. has seen widespread protests and removals, particularly targeting Confederate leaders (like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson), whose statues were symbols of a fight to preserve slavery. Beyond the Confederacy, figures like Christopher Columbus, recognized for his role in the violent colonization of the Americas, and even slave-owning Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, have faced scrutiny. Universities have been prominent battlegrounds, with institutions like Yale University (renaming Calhoun College, named after a fervent pro-slavery advocate), Princeton University (removing Woodrow Wilson’s name from its public policy school due to his segregationist policies), and numerous others renaming buildings and colleges tied to slavery or racism.
- United Kingdom: In Bristol, the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was famously toppled by protestors and thrown into the harbor, an event that reverberated globally. The University of Liverpool renamed a hall of residence previously honoring Prime Minister William Gladstone, whose family had ties to slavery. In London, institutions linked to Sir John Cass, a major figure in the transatlantic slave trade, have undergone name changes.
- Belgium: Statues of King Leopold II have been defaced and removed due to the extreme brutality and mass killings that occurred in the Congo Free State under his rule.
- France: Paris saw the renaming of rue Richepance, named after a general who reinstated slavery in Guadeloupe, to honor the Chevalier de Saint-George, an abolitionist of mixed heritage. Statues of figures like Victor Schœlcher, an abolitionist but also a defender of colonialism and compensation for slave owners, have been controversially torn down in Martinique, highlighting the complexities of historical legacies.
- Germany: Cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich have active campaigns to rename streets honoring colonial figures known for their brutality, such as Carl Peters.
- Australia: In Hobart, Tasmania, a statue of William Crowther, a colonial premier involved in the mutilation of an Aboriginal man’s body, was removed. Statues of Captain James Cook and Queen Victoria have been vandalized in Melbourne by protestors highlighting colonial injustices.
- New Zealand: A statue of British military officer John Hamilton, involved in conflicts against Māori, was removed in the city that bears his name (Kirikiriroa in Māori). There have also been ongoing debates about the colonial symbolism on the national flag.
The Modern Backlash: A Demand for Inclusive Histories
The current wave of activism is fueled by a desire for public spaces to be inclusive and reflective of contemporary values. Movements like Black Lives Matter have significantly amplified these calls, arguing that honoring figures who oppressed Black and Indigenous people, and other marginalized groups, perpetuates trauma and signals that their pain is not acknowledged.
Modern minds, armed with a more critical understanding of history, question why symbols of oppression should be celebrated. The demands for removal and renaming are seen as a crucial step in confronting systemic racism and the lingering impacts of colonialism. For many, it’s not about erasing history but about choosing who society collectively decides to honor in its shared spaces. Explanatory plaques are sometimes proposed or installed as an intermediate step, aiming to contextualize rather than remove, as seen in Bordeaux, France, for streets named after slave traders.
The Ongoing Debate: Remembrance vs. Reverence
The calls for change have inevitably sparked intense debate.
Arguments for removal/renaming often center on:
- Ending Veneration: Statues and honorific names are seen as acts of celebration, not neutral historical markers. Removing them ends the public endorsement of figures who perpetuated harm.
- Historical Accuracy: Many monuments are criticized for presenting a sanitized or heroic version of history, ignoring the brutal realities of slavery and colonialism.
- Inclusivity and Healing: Creating public spaces that do not cause pain or offense to communities directly harmed by these historical figures is seen as essential for social justice and reconciliation.
- Psychological Impact: Daily encounters with the names of oppressors can be a source of ongoing distress and alienation for descendants of those who suffered.
Arguments against removal/renaming, or in favor of contextualization, include:
- “Erasing History”: Opponents often argue that removing statues or changing names is an attempt to whitewash or forget the past.
- Understanding Complexity: Historical figures should be understood in the context of their times, and their contributions should not be entirely overshadowed by actions considered reprehensible today.
- Educational Value: These markers, if properly contextualized with information about their full legacies, can serve as tools for education about darker historical periods.
- “Slippery Slope”: Concerns are sometimes raised that removing some historical figures could lead to a never-ending cycle of re-evaluation and removal based on evolving societal norms.
Despite the resistance, the movement for re-evaluation continues to gain momentum. Numerous successful renaming of streets, parks, university buildings, and the removal or relocation of statues to museums (where they can be contextualized) demonstrate a tangible shift. The global reckoning with these “names that haunt us” is far from over. It reflects a profound societal dialogue about history, memory, and who we choose to be in the present. As communities continue to grapple with these legacies, the landscape of our public spaces will undoubtedly continue to evolve, striving to better reflect a more just and honest understanding of the past and a more inclusive vision for the future.