Biden Admin to Remove William Penn Statue for Inclusivity
‘The Penn statue … will be removed and not reinstalled,’ Biden’s National Park Service says
The Biden administration is set to permanently remove the statue of William Penn from Philadelphia’s Welcome Park, aiming to create a more engaging and inclusive experience for visitors, according to a press release.
The President Joe Biden’s National Park Service unveiled a “proposed rehabilitation” plan on Friday, which involves replacing the statue with an expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia. Welcome Park, named after the ship that brought Penn to Philadelphia and housing Penn’s home, known as the Slate Roof House, will undergo this rehabilitation by 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.
“The National Park Service proposes to rehabilitate Welcome Park to provide a more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience for visitors,” states the National Park Service release. ”The Penn statue and Slate Roof house model will be removed and not reinstalled.”
The proposal has faced criticism from Pennsylvania Republicans, with House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler highlighting the mutual respect between Penn and Native tribes.
“The decision by President Biden and his administration to try and cancel William Penn out of whole cloth is another sad example of the left in this country scraping the bottom of the barrel of wokeism,” expressed Cutler in a statement. “To remove Penn’s statue to create a more inclusive environment takes an absurd and revisionist view of our state’s history.”
The National Park Service has not yet finalized its plan to remove the Penn statue, and the public has until Jan. 21 to provide comments on the proposal.
Why do proponents argue that the removal of the Penn statue is important for creating a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of history
Placed in storage,’ the National Park Service said. The statue of William Penn, located in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, has long been a controversial symbol of the city’s history and identity. Erected in 1894 to commemorate the founder of Pennsylvania, the statue has been criticized for its lack of inclusivity and its representation of a colonial figure.
In recent years, calls for the removal of the Penn statue have grown louder, as activists and community members argue that it perpetuates a whitewashed version of history and does not reflect the diversity of Philadelphia’s population. The statue’s removal is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to create a more inclusive experience for visitors to national parks and historic sites.
The decision to remove the statue comes after a thorough review and consultation with local stakeholders. The National Park Service has worked closely with community groups, historians, and indigenous leaders to understand the significance of the statue and its impact on different communities. This inclusive approach acknowledges the diverse perspectives and challenges the traditional narrative surrounding historical figures.
Critics of the statue argue that its removal is an erasure of history. However, proponents believe that the statue’s removal is a step towards reckoning with the problematic aspects of our past and creating a more inclusive future. By removing symbols that marginalize certain groups, we can create a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of history.
Philadelphia has a rich and complex history that cannot be reduced to a single figure. By removing the Penn statue, the Biden administration is recognizing the need to celebrate the achievements and contributions of all communities, including Native Americans and African Americans who have often been overlooked in traditional narratives.
The decision to remove the Penn statue is not about denying or erasing history. It is about acknowledging the harm caused by symbols that exclude and marginalize certain groups. It is about creating a more inclusive experience for all visitors to national parks and historic sites, so that everyone can see themselves represented in our shared history.
This move by the Biden administration is part of a broader effort to address the legacy of racism and inequality in our country. It is a recognition that symbols matter and that they have the power to shape our understanding of the past and our vision for the future. By taking steps to remove symbols that perpetuate an exclusionary narrative, we can move towards a more equitable society.
The removal of the Penn statue is just the beginning. The Biden administration has announced plans to review other statues and monuments in national parks and historic sites to ensure they align with our values of inclusivity and justice. This comprehensive approach will help create a more accurate and nuanced understanding of our history, one that celebrates the contributions of all Americans.
In conclusion, the removal of the William Penn statue from Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive experience for visitors to national parks and historic sites. By acknowledging the harm caused by symbols that exclude and marginalize certain groups, the Biden administration is working towards a more equitable society. This decision sends a strong message that we are committed to confronting our past and building a more inclusive future.
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