The Establishment of the Memorials at the Monuments

Throughout history, there have been countless numbers of unfortunate events that have led to mass deaths and mass mourning. A global way of coping with these tragic events is through the creation of memorials or monuments. Monuments have served as both a way to celebrate the courageousness of those who fought, as well as mourn over the lives that were lost. However, it is important to take into account certain factors when creating a monument. Factors such as the location and the controversies surrounding the memorial are the quintessential principles needed to be taken into account in order to erect an awe-inspiring monument.

The overall impact of a memorial is heavily dependent on its location. A monument situated in a city center or park will be much more appreciated than a monument located under a run-down highway. The more people are reminded of a monument, the longer it holds its significance. In addition, a memorial also affects the land value around it, increasing property prices and boosting residential happiness. For instance, a statue of Christopher Columbus in Riverside Park, PA (Source B) holds great significance since it is in a peaceful area where people leisurely stroll through and take in their surroundings. The nature surrounding the statue also resembles the origins of America when it was an immense land filled with forests and flowing rivers. By having the monument where it is, people are reminded of their American Heritage. However, if a monument was to be located in a Mall, such as the plan for the Holocaust Museum (Source E), many would barely notice it. In a Mall, people have an interest in purchasing materialistic items such as clothes and accessories; not in visiting a Museum. Thus, the location of a monument is extremely important since it determines how effectively it will achieve it's desired outcome of remembering and recognizing a person or event.

Before creating a memorial, It is extremely important to think about how controversial an individual or occasion is. While practically all Americans have certain figures who they revere, the figures venerated differ between each person. According to Source A, 'the monumental core in Washington functions somewhat like a pilgrimage site, where communities of believers actually come together in the act of occupying a holy site, seeing a relic, reenacting a sacred event.” Be that as it may, while the facts confirm that Americans are enthusiastic about their history and that the vast majority of us endeavor to visit the country's capital, this nation is more controversial now than at any other time in the present days. This is shown in the controversy encompassing the Confederate landmarks across the Southern United States. Perilous and life-threatening protests have sometimes broken out between people who request that the monuments be taken down. For instance in Charlotte, NC, protestors claimed that they are images of their “southern legacy” (history of slavery). Memorials are meant to bring life to those who have passed; it is not meant to result in death. Moreover, Downes misrepresents the fact by stating that the Crazy Horse monument and the grand Mount Rushmore are “tributes to greatness” (Source C). For instance, in spite of his many achievements, president Theodore Roosevelt was one of the four historical figures on Mount Rushmore who was notorious for his supremacist ideology, abuse of Native Americans, and forceful invasion strategy, which many individuals today would not turn to. In like manner, Thomas Jefferson was a slave master himself and accepted that African Americans were lesser than whites. This issue is additionally obvious in the statue of Christopher Columbus (Source B), who was famous for subjugating, abusing, and slaughtering Native Americans while taking a lot of their property for the purpose of 'exploration.' By placing a monument of him in a park, it brings out a message of glorification, which numerous Americans would greatly object to. The controversies encompassing a monument has profound impacts on society, making this an exceptional and noteworthy factor to consider.

It is quite simple to effectively construct a monument memorializing a significant event or individual. However, regardless of what or who is memorialized, the location and the controversies surrounding it should closely be considered. A century back, no one would anticipate what grand monuments would be built today. Nevertheless, we ought to consistently work to guarantee that the best and most incontrovertible effect is made possible.