From pride to shame... it was a good idea - until it wasn't.

My approach, from a marketing background where I help clients put their best foot forward: a picture says a 1000 words and, as is, this instalment on Main St., in these political times, can portray Picton and its people in a very poor light. To the informed and inflicted, it can easily say:

“We in Picton recognize John A MacDonald as a revered outstanding figure In history. We see only his great accomplishments. We defend his actions despite the atrocious impact inflicted upon generations of human beings (because we were not impacted). “

“We know his policies and laws promoted and enforced taking children from their homes, families, religion and culture to avoid obligations and to gain control of their land and resources. Still, we defend his choices because those were different times (and white children were safe). We are ignorant about, don’t agree with or can’t be bothered to learn about Truth and Reconciliation.”

“Ultimately, our pride in laying claim to a famous historical figure is greater than our compassion for generations of people who see us hailing an effigy condoning the past and the very current repercussions, where they live (and die) with stigma, racism, addictions and poverty. We in Picton will lay upon this same Main Street in support of BLM because our eyes were opened by news coverage in USA but we turn a blind eye to Canada’s past and current failures, such as not meeting UN’s standards on treatment of our indigenous peoples.”

Don’t get me wrong, erecting a monument commemorating our founding father's roots here in Picton was a typically natural choice, a source of pride, a bragging right, and a unique distinction like the big nickel in Sudbury. I've posed for selfies with friends at this monument! But there was much I didn’t know until hands were painted red to wake me — thank you. Until I read opinions and references in this forum — thank you. I agree with many here that the statue shouldn’t be “cancelled” so we might learn our true history and prevent, correct repeated wrongs.

I don’t think the messages quoted above fairly represent the people of Picton. Better I think, to move the full monument or keep it there but, at the “bench” portion, add a significant plaque outlining broader facts, along with a QR code offering links for further reading. This would be unpopular I’m sure, but I’d go so far as to say leave the red paint too, as that is uncensored history. 2020, like other pandemic years, is marked by uprisings and awakenings, and Picton is not sleeping through it.