A Chicago pastor wants the city to remove the names and statues of two former presidents from parks located in Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods.
Bishop James Dukes, pastor of Liberation Christian Center, sent a letter to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel calling for a statue of President George Washington to be taken down from Washington Park. Dukes also wants the president’s name removed from the park.
In his letter to Emanuel, the pastor also called on the mayor to remove President Andrew Jackson’s name from Jackson Park because he, too, owned slaves, according to CBS Chicago.
“When I see that, I see a person who fought for the liberties, and I see people that fought for the justice and freedom of white America, because at that moment, we were still chattel slavery, and was three-fifths of humans,” he said. “Some people out here ask me, say, ‘Well, you know, he taught his slaves to read.’ That’s almost sad; the equivalent of someone who kidnaps you, that you gave them something to eat.”
Instead of renaming the parks outright, Dukes suggested instead swapping out the names of George Washington and Andrew Jackson with others who have the same surname, such as former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington for Washington Park, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson or Michael Jackson for Jackson Park.
Dukes said he isn’t trying to erase history, but rather said he believes black people should decide who is declared a “hero” and honored in their communities.
“In an African-American community, it’s a slap in the face and it’s a disgrace for them to honor someone who was a slaveowner,” he said.
In addition to sending a letter to Emanuel, Dukes also sent one to the Chicago Parks District, and shared his message on Facebook.
“I am feeling ambivalent that I would have to walk my child, attend a parade, or enjoy a game of softball in a park that commemorates the memory of a slave owner,” Dukes wrote. “Therefore, I call on the immediate removal of President George Washington and President Andrew Jackson names from the parks located on the southeast side of Chicago. They should not have the distinct honor of being held as heroes when they actively participated in the slave trade.”
After white nationalist groups protesting the possible removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Va., clashed with counter-protesters, elected officials nationwide have begun calling for the removal of Confederate-era statues and monuments.
President Trump, though, warned this week the removal of statues of Confederate figures such as Lee and Stonewall Jackson could lead to monuments of former presidents, including Washington and Thomas Jefferson, to be taken down as well.
On Thursday, the president said it was “sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart” with the removal of the statues.
“The beauty that is being taken out of our cities, towns and parks will be greatly missed and never able to be comparably replaced!” Trump tweeted.
