Slavery is over
Thankfully, slavery has been illegal for decades. That means no one should feel bitter about anything representing that painful part of history.
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The Argument
Confederate monuments shouldn’t be a problem because slavery is over. Yes, the southern ex-Confederate states legalized slavery and slaves were treated horribly. However, everyone’s a free person now and the bitterness should be let go.
Counter arguments
Human emotions cannot be controlled. The effects of slavery are still prevalent today. African-Americans are more likely to be arrested than other races.[1] On the other side of the spectrum, people of European descent are seen as the bad guys because of the injustice that has happened in the past.[2] Monuments should be taken down as a sign that any remaining bitterness and unjust treatment because of race has no value in society, even as a historical monument.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] Slavery is over.
[P2] People shouldn’t hold on to the past.
[P3] People shouldn't have a problem with Confederate monuments.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] Confederate monuments should be taken down because slavery is over. There’s no reason to honor the confederacy, and people are still suffering from the social problems caused by slavery.
[Rejecting P2] The past is a part of a person’s history. Sometimes people can’t let go of their past because it’s too hard or it’s out of their control.