A Confederate statue standing in Georgetown, Texas, has sparked fierce debates within the local community. Erected in the early 20th century, the statue has become a point of contention, symbolizing stark differences in values and interpretation of history.
On November 12, a protest led by Southwestern University Chaplain Ron Swain took place, demanding the removal of the Confederate monument. Supporters of the protest, comprised mainly of Southwestern University students and faculty, criticized the statue as an emblem of racism and slavery, according to The Mega Phone South Western University. Conversely, those in favor of keeping the monument argue it honors Southern heritage and history.
Reflecting upon the conflicts surrounding the monument, Chaplain Swain said, “Well, I think that the history of the Confederacy and the War between the States is well documented, and we don’t need these monuments to celebrate the defeat, actually, of the South, in the War between the States,” according to The Mega Phone South Western University article.
The Kappa Alpha Fraternity and Georgetown's The Wilco Patriots joined Swain's protest, endorsing the monument's removal. Swain recognized significant backing from the campus, saying there was "Tremendous support from the Southwestern community." He added, "I’ve been told that there are students that are hesitant to come downtown because of this statue, and our community is growing, new people are coming in, we need to be more inclusive and more welcoming to everyone coming into Georgetown," as per The Mega Phone South Western University.
Discussion to remove the statue began back in 2021 with a promise by Georgetown County Commissioners to establish a committee handling the issue. As stated by Chaplain Swain, the promised committee has not yet formed. He urges the commissioners to stay true to their previous commitment.
