The speaker reflects on the process of building a monumental statue, emphasizing community involvement and the personal stories shared during the project.
Concepts
Monuments: Physical structures that commemorate individuals or events.
Neoclassical Style: Architectural style combining Greek and Roman elements.
Analog Cookies: Monuments that shape values and perceptions like digital cookies shape online behavior.
Content
The speaker shares insights from building a monumental statue, highlighting the personal nature of monuments and the diverse reactions they can evoke.
Not everyone will appreciate a monument, as seen in historical examples like the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty.
Monuments serve as analog cookies, influencing societal values and perceptions.
The speaker discusses the prevalence of Confederate monuments in the U.S. and their impact on societal values.
Embracing the opportunity to create new monuments centered around love, belonging, and equity is encouraged.
Insights
Monuments play a significant role in shaping collective memory and societal values.
The speaker challenges the traditional narrative of monuments glorifying war and subjugation, advocating for a shift towards monuments of love and inclusivity.
Key Points
Monuments are personal and can evoke diverse reactions.
Not all monuments are universally accepted, but they play a crucial role in shaping societal values.
Creating new monuments centered around love and equity is a positive step towards a more inclusive narrative.
Conclusion
The speaker urges individuals to surround themselves with analog cookies of love and belonging, emphasizing the power of personal connections and positive representations in shaping societal values.
Further Reading
Monument Wars: Washington, D.C., the National Mall, and the Transformation of the Memorial Landscape by Kirk Savage
The Politics of Memory: Making Slavery Visible in the Public Space by Anne Valk
