I love the statue that has replaced the slave trader

I would like to see this statue, along with that of Colston, displayed together in one of Bristol's museums, with the story of Colston and the protests. I believe that museum staff collected many of the banners left by the protestors and they could become part of the display.

The empty plinth could become, like the plinth in Trafalgar Square, an opportunity to show a series of statues and sculptures relating to the history and contemporary life of the city.

Some people do vote as instructed to by others. My mother in law (now 93) told me years ago that she always votes whatever her husband votes. And my sister, who is widowed, told me that her son takes her to the polling station and tells her what to vote.
I’m appalled by both.

Grandad it was ridiculous because it was meant to be

Me too but I think if it is to stay, the story of how it came to be there should be on the plinth.

Our expectations of people and our response when they dont think as we do is troubling.es, I agree.

I suppose you wouldn't be an activist if you were an easy-going live-and-let-live person.

But it's one thing to work for gay rights - great! - because you are working towards a defined and achievable set of rights.

It's another thing to work for BLM, who demand that we change ourselves and our society. No clearly defined and achievable demands. If you don't toe the line, you're a deplorable, as evidenced in this thread.

I think that's a great idea varian

It is a good idea from Varian.

The old statue of Colston was fossilised. Art is not art unless people are emotionally aware of it.

I agree with varian and sandelf.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I dont understand what you mean by our statues ladymuck, the protestors are British.

I disagree with replacing the previous statue with the new one.

It was a provocative act of vandalism. Who does she think she is?

I believe the statue has now been taken down, and there should be discussion about a worthy replacement.

An excellent idea Varian. Works well in Trafalgar square.

lemongrove

Sparklefizz

We have a black mayor at the moment.

Yes, I know, but the black mayor from so long ago may be a more worthy figure.

Perhaps you may be thinking of Nathaniel Wells, lemongrove. He wasn't Mayor of Bristol but was a wealthy landowner, became Sheriff of Monmouthshire and a magistrate. He moved in high society here.
He was the son of a plantation owner and a slave and his father sent him to England to be educated. He inherited his father's estates and thus became a slave owner himself although he spent his life here.
I've mentioned him before in a thread.

I've also mentioned a statue of Dr Paul Stephenson before as a possibility for the Colston statue but I'm not surprised he and his family don't want that. He is courageous but, I think, modest. He did so much to bring about civil rights.

The statue of Jen Reid is artistically good - but varian is right. It should go into a museum along with that of Edward Colston with all the historical references so that future generations can learn from this.
If the sculptor wants to donate it, of course, and if Jen Reid is agreeable.

I understand there wasn't much enthusiasm for Colston's statue in the first place as there were few public donations forthcoming.

It was just there and I don't think many people took much notice of it, if truth be known.

Grandad1943

trisher, the statue was a severe safety hazard and therefore either had to be secured at considerable cost or taken down.

It was also causing serious arguments between people walking across the city centre. Doubtless, with many bars and restaurants etc in that area much more serious trouble may well have broken out adjacent to the statue at the weekend.

Do BLM supporters really wish to hand such a gift as this statue to the extreme right in Britain, for that is what it was?

I agree Grandad

Despite what some may think, people can't just take the law into their own hands

Anyway - did they have planning permission?

Before anyone jumps on me, it was rather tongue-in-cheek but just try cutting down a tree without permission, putting the wrong type of windows in your house etc etc and what happens?

trisher

This was a beautiful statue and a real work of art, besides being a statue of a black woman both of which are people under-represented by statues in the UK.
As for Bristol council they made a big mistake just taking it down. Had they left it, with perhaps a date that it would be removed, they would have seen increased numbers of people visiting to take photos of it and local businesses might have benefitted.

Oh, let's take a trip into Bristol to see that statue and while we're up there pop into a clothes shop and buy some cheap clothes/trainers (or expensive, take your pick) made by slave labour somewhere in the world.

Must keep local businesses going.

Personally I’d rather see no statue at all.

Yes we cant have a view on anything unless we behave perfectly all the time.

Callistemon

lemongrove

Sparklefizz

We have a black mayor at the moment.

Yes, I know, but the black mayor from so long ago may be a more worthy figure.

Perhaps you may be thinking of Nathaniel Wells, lemongrove. He wasn't Mayor of Bristol but was a wealthy landowner, became Sheriff of Monmouthshire and a magistrate. He moved in high society here.
He was the son of a plantation owner and a slave and his father sent him to England to be educated. He inherited his father's estates and thus became a slave owner himself although he spent his life here.
I've mentioned him before in a thread.

I've also mentioned a statue of Dr Paul Stephenson before as a possibility for the Colston statue but I'm not surprised he and his family don't want that. He is courageous but, I think, modest. He did so much to bring about civil rights.

The statue of Jen Reid is artistically good - but varian is right. It should go into a museum along with that of Edward Colston with all the historical references so that future generations can learn from this.
If the sculptor wants to donate it, of course, and if Jen Reid is agreeable.

I understand there wasn't much enthusiasm for Colston's statue in the first place as there were few public donations forthcoming.

It was just there and I don't think many people took much notice of it, if truth be known.

That name didn’t ring a bell with me ( black mayor twice voted in) so I looked it up.It wasn’t Bristol it was Thetford in Norfolk.His name was Allan Minns ( from the West Indies) and he served two terms as mayor there from 1904.
He was the first black mayor in the UK.

So no good for a Bristol statue?

I vote for no statue at all.

They only attract pigeons.

Whitewavemark2

Wonder how long the far right will let it stand?

Poor Marvin

He's now labelled as far right by a Gransnetter.
And he always thought he was Labour.

^Sponsorship
Marvin was supported in his 2016 campaign by the following: Unite; Unison; CWU; GMB; USDAW; TSSA; FBU; The Labour Party; Bristol Labour Party (LCF); Bristol Labour Group of Councillors; Bristol Labour Party Women Section; Bristol West Constituency Labour Party; Kingswood Constituency Labour Party; North Wiltshire Constituency Labour Party; Somerset and Frome Constituency Labour Party; Hanham & Woodstock Branch Labour Party; Siston Branch Labour Party; Siston Branch Labour Party; Rodway Chase Branch Labour Party; Bitton Branch Labour Party; Bishopston Branch Labour Party; Redland Branch Labour Party; Westbury-On-Trym Branch Labour Party; JC4PM; ECOTRICITY; Thompson Solicitors; Mad Mobiles; Carpet Direct; Individual Donations from Labour Party members and members of the public.Sponsorship
Marvin was supported in his 2016 campaign by the following: Unite; Unison; CWU; GMB; USDAW; TSSA; FBU; The Labour Party; Bristol Labour Party (LCF); Bristol Labour Group of Councillors; Bristol Labour Party Women Section; Bristol West Constituency Labour Party; Kingswood Constituency Labour Party; North Wiltshire Constituency Labour Party; Somerset and Frome Constituency Labour Party; Hanham & Woodstock Branch Labour Party; Siston Branch Labour Party; Siston Branch Labour Party; Rodway Chase Branch Labour Party; Bitton Branch Labour Party; Bishopston Branch Labour Party; Redland Branch Labour Party; Westbury-On-Trym Branch Labour Party; JC4PM; ECOTRICITY; Thompson Solicitors; Mad Mobiles; Carpet Direct; Individual Donations from Labour Party members and members of the public.

I have no idea why that posted twice.

Callistamon
Make sure you have some adidas trainers on the shopping list. After all, the artists model took the trouble to advertise the company.
I'm amazed that she's not woke enough to realise who she's advertising. No, actually I'll take that last sentence back. She's probably totally unaware where her trainers etc were made.

I think she's a stylist.

Whatever that means.

What have pigeons done to harm anyone? I quite like them and the cooing noise they make.