In May, members of Community Board 7‘s Preservation Committee reviewed the American Museum of Natural History‘s proposal to remove the Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its Central Park West entrance. Committee members ended up voting unanimously in favor of it.
This week, the proposal received final green light, as the statue’s relocation was approved by the New York City Public Design Commission.
“The Statue has long been controversial because of the hierarchical composition that places one figure on horseback and the others walking alongside, and many of us find its depictions of the Native American and African figures and their placement in the monument racist,” a statement from the AMNH read at the time.The Equestrian Statue in front of the Museum has long been controversial for the racial hierarchy it depicts. The Museum has asked that it be moved. More: https://t.co/3hgIWe0fqu pic.twitter.com/m99Bl1EEFT
— American Museum of Natural History (@AMNH) June 21, 2020
Reactions to the initiative have been mixed since the proposal made headlines. Many have voiced support for preserving history and not removing the statue, including those who attended a protest against the statue’s removal about one week after the museum made its announcement.
Protesters demanding Teddy Roosevelt statue not to be removed in #NYC at the American Museum of Natural history. Stay tuned for updates pic.twitter.com/tB30wWsPFE
— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) June 28, 2020
Others have expressed alignment with the AMNH’s position, and are happy it will be gone.
It is currently unknown where the Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt will be placed.
Next controversy: the text of the message to be engraved at the entrance.
Sad day in New York City. When all it takes is being loud often enough to get your way. The placement of the President on horseback was meant to denote leadership, the two figures represent all the people regardless of racial heritage as well as the people’s support for their President. But the ‘protestors’ got their way, the dismantling of American culture, to be continued.
you are so right. what a disgrace to remove it. things are just out of control with all of this. shame on the people who are so closed minded that they only see what isnt there instead of what really is.
In the end, it all comes down to aesthetic synchrony vs. diachrony — i.e., a judgement call. Today the synchronic side has the upper hand; tomorrow, who knows? No doubt the gilded equestrian statue of King George III in Bowling Green had its diachronic defenders in 1776, who emphasized George’s role in repealing the Stamp Act, his wide erudition, his piety, his charity, his patronage of the arts, his admirable fecundity (15 children), and so on. Yet the statue was toppled and hacked to pieces by angry rioters, a group we now regard as heroic patriots opposing tyranny: the synchronists. (Note that this will not be the fate of Teddy’s statue.) Art history is replete with passionate contention.
This foolishness proves that the demand for examples of white on black and red racism exceeds the supply.
From the left we have the canceling of American culture and from the right we have the canceling of American democracy. What a country.
If it were 3 white people, the lefties would cry that there isn’t representation of other races. You can’t win with these whinoes, so just ignore their empty cries. The statue should stay.
These lefty radicals will only be happy when they get their statues of Karl Marx and Che Guevara everywhere.
I always thought that the statue showed two hot, hunky non-European men who could stand on their own two feet and walk forever, while helping to prop up some gringo who needed a horse to get around. How is that offensive, except maybe to unfit white guys?
It is truly heartening to see so many right-leaning folks so vigorously defending a tribute to a great leader of the progressive movement (indeed, the founder of the Progressive Party); a proponent of the “Square Deal” for the average American; a tireless conservationist, environmentalist, and creator of five National Parks, 150 National Forests, 18 National Monuments; a labor negotiator; an antitrust action hero; a regulator of railroads; a champion of the the Pure Food and Drug Act; and the inspiration for innumerable adorable plushies … and I’m sure the fact that he’s depicted as a WHITE GUY towering over a pair of subserviently posed minorities has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with it, no siree Bob!
One has to admire James Earle Fraser all the more for his foresight.
Maybe he’s depicted as a white guy because he WAS a white guy. I agree with Noam C.
I was a member of the AMNH for over 30 years. I have chosen not to renew over this idiotic decision. Nobody was “offended” by this statue, it was never “controversial”. Anyone who believes otherwise is a fool at best. The museum staff, the Mayor and the city council should be ashamed to involve the museum in the filthy politics of the day. All that has been done is the defacement of an iconic NYC landmark.
Exactly John. These are people who need to acquire “virtue” cheaply.
I am not white. Buts I always saw this statue as the grand entrance to a great museum. But what did I know, I was only in kindergarten. I can see how people would take offense to this statue, but I think the entrance won’t be the same without a grand statue. I propose that they take all the statues that they are removing, such as the one of General Lee in Virginia and open up a museum for them. History shouldn’t be erased. The truth should always be told, even if it is shameful.