LETTER: If we’re purging history, why stop with Confederate ‘heroes’?

There have been uproars and demonstrations over the past the several weeks about slavery and monuments to Confederate “heroes,” with monuments/inscriptions being torn down or eradicated.

Twelve of our presidents owned slaves, including Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Jackson.

Of the 12 who owned slaves, eight did so while holding the presidency.

Cities, counties and states have been named after these intelligentsia.

So my questions is: Should all statues and references to these men be purged from American history?

If not, why not?

Should we only concentrate on those people who were active in the Civil War?

Should we condemn and castigate countries such as England, France, the Netherlands and Spain for introducing slaves to the Colonies?

Shall we include African and Asian countries in this condemnation since they were largely the sources and purveyors of the slaves?

Should we purge all history — the USA and the rest of the world — of any reference to slavery?

These are just a few of many questions that can be asked about our history, which some of us might find repugnant.

But the issue is still history.

Bill Black,

Sequim