Why are monuments important, what is important to you about having a physical representation

of history?

I don't really see too much importance in monuments, just because American history isn't

like the best history, but they're pretty to look at.

I think it's important to just give people a piece of history so they can read and understand

things that happened before they were here.

I feel like a lot of people try to sweep things under the rug, especially if it was something

not so positive.

So I feel like having a physical representation of that is set in stone, literally.

I think having a physical symbol of freedom and liberty is super important, but also having

a symbol that represents both the good parts and the bad parts of our own history.

If we are very conscious and aware of our history, we're able to make sure that the negative

parts don't repeat.

It's Snotes from America, I'm Kai Wright, welcome to the show.

Think about your city or even your neighborhood.

Is it home to a monument that's just so iconic, it's impossible to visualize the space

without like seeing that work?

I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and there's this massive neoclassical obelisk called

the Soldiers and Sailors monument right in the middle of downtown.

And it's such a deep part of the city's life that as a kid, it just sort of kind of disappeared

into my subconscious, became a meeting place, a directional landmark, a Christmas tree in

the winter, a backdrop for graduation photos in the spring, monuments, these structures

...