Of all the monuments and memorials I've seen in the USA, the one that impressed me the most, and it was more than half a century ago, was the Lincoln Memorial.
Yeah, Statue of Liberty would be #2 - it is so impressive and has great significance, but when I stood in the Lincoln Memorial, reading the inscriptions in the presence of that powerful statue, I became so awed I felt as if I was in a holy place.
Like I said I think a monument to the great Native American Leaders is entirely appropriate
But Mount Rushmore was created to memorialize the leaders of the United States
One can disagree with the politics and actions of those depicted or agree with them, but the monument was created with that in mind and is loved and visited by millions of citizens and tourists every year.
This monument honoring these men, does not dishonor men not depicted in my view.
It is not the politics and actions of those depicted that bother me, although their treatement of the Native Indians was nothing to be proud of, it is the fact that a place holy to the Native Indians was desecrated by doing the carvings there.
As stated in the article I linked:
From the Indian perspective, the monument at Mount Rushmore was a symbol of the dominant cultures arrogance, racism, and spiritual insensitivity. Carving icons of Presidents who were known for their insensitivity to Indian issues into a living sacred mountain would be similar to painting anti-Christian graffiti inside of cathedral, or anti-Semitic symbols inside a synagogue.
It reminds me of the insensitivity of the "white" government at Oka, where they wanted to clear an Indian burial ground to create a golf course:
A fabulous collection of monument sand memorials
To see the other 35 on the list follow the link
The wife and I have been thinking about some travel just to get away and relax and perhaps this list can help formulate some travel plans.
A lot of beauty and a lot of history
Of all the monuments and memorials I've seen in the USA, the one that impressed me the most, and it was more than half a century ago, was the Lincoln Memorial.
Dear Friend Robert in Ohio: A tour fo National Monuments sounds like a great idea.
I wish you and the Mrs.an enjoyable and memorial journey.
Enoch.
If I may
Buzz
The Lincoln Memorial (monument) and the Smithsonian (overall)were my two favorite stops in Washington.
My favorite on this collection and of all time is the Statue of Liberty
Thanks for the feedback
Wise Friend Enoch
We look forward to the journey together more than the destination
The time together is the most precious thing we experience.
Thanks for the perspective and feedback
Peace be with you and yours!
Yeah, Statue of Liberty would be #2 - it is so impressive and has great significance, but when I stood in the Lincoln Memorial, reading the inscriptions in the presence of that powerful statue, I became so awed I felt as if I was in a holy place.
Although I've never been to Rushmore, I wouldn't have respect for it because those are not the faces, IMO, that belong there.
Buzz
And whose faces would you rather see there, if any?
An option could certainly be to blast the faces off the mountain side I guess!
A Mac
A beautiful picture and a place that is already in our plans
Thanks for sharing
I have no argument with such a monument - in fact it would be great
But it would be representing a totally different heritage than Mount Rushmore was intended to represent
I think Kavika would be able to say something about that. Because of the location, the heritage could be more appropriately represented.
Buzz
Like I said I think a monument to the great Native American Leaders is entirely appropriate
But Mount Rushmore was created to memorialize the leaders of the United States
One can disagree with the politics and actions of those depicted or agree with them, but the monument was created with that in mind and is loved and visited by millions of citizens and tourists every year.
This monument honoring these men, does not dishonor men not depicted in my view.
These are also important monuments and memorials
Crazy Horse
American Indians Veterans National Memorial
And there are many more deserving monuments to Native Americans I am sure
It is not the politics and actions of those depicted that bother me, although their treatement of the Native Indians was nothing to be proud of, it is the fact that a place holy to the Native Indians was desecrated by doing the carvings there.
As stated in the article I linked:
It reminds me of the insensitivity of the "white" government at Oka, where they wanted to clear an Indian burial ground to create a golf course:
RIO, I have never visited Mount Rushmore and have no intention of doing us, because of the history.
The Crazy Horse monument is a money making deal for the family that has been carving itfor the last 50 or so years. I have not, and will not visit it.
There are NO photos or painting of Crazy Horse, to carve this face into a mountain and call it Crazy Horse, is crazy IMO.
Kavika
I appreciate the feedback and respect your position