The past year will likely be remembered as the year the world seemed to stand still as a virus spread from China across the face of the planet. We, the residents of Earth, were mandated to stay home, wear masks, and avoid interpersonal contact. Businesses were permanently closed, millions of jobs were forever lost, and lots of people suffered -- not only from the virus but also from the remedies for it.
I will also remember if as the year of the empty plinth. People across the planet thought they should erase parts of their history that were inconvenient to them or caused them discomfort. Statues were dragged down by the dozens across the globe or removed by politicans who fear mobs.
Even in the small fairly conservative city of Regina I found empty plinths. At first I thought their statues had been removed, although it turns out these were just stands with memorial plaques that had never held a statue.
It is unclear if the statue of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister and one of the founders of Canada, will survive. It was at risk of removal as you can see in the signage above. Last I heard Sir John A still held his spot in the Victoria Park, but who knows for how long? Or if they decide a park named for Queen Victoria needs retitling.
I'm one of those who thinks that history is best remembered for what is was, warts and all, or we will be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.
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