07-01-2021, 12:47 AM
If the portrait is removed, I think 2 things should happen:
1) In its place, not necessarily exactly the same location but in a place that is nearby and appropriate, replace it with some sort of commemoration which explains the origin of the city name (including the name change history) and which, while acknowledging briefly the negative legacy of the name, primarily talks about what a great place Kitchener is today. For example, maybe the portrait could be replaced by a mural that reflects today’s pluralistic society, with a plaque that gives some of the history; the best wall for this wouldn’t necessarily be the exact same wall that now hosts the portrait.
2) Move the portrait to a museum and include it in an exhibit which, among other things, explains the full history of the posting of the portrait, when it was posted, when it was removed, whatever we know about discussions related to both of these events, and anything else that seems relevant.
Depending on the exact nature of the portrait, I might even support leaving it in place but changing its labelling; based on the description, however, that it is a large and presumably complimentary depiction which dominates the space it is in, removal is probably more appropriate in this case.
As to the petition, you could probably get more per capita than there were on the renaming petition. Not sure how many that would be, but definitely a lot more than 380. Not sure how others feel but I would prefer to sign a petition which calls for a replacement display to be developed and the portrait to be moved to a museum than one that simply calls for removal. That way we are for something rather than against something. It’s too easy to be against things; being for something requires a bit more thought.
1) In its place, not necessarily exactly the same location but in a place that is nearby and appropriate, replace it with some sort of commemoration which explains the origin of the city name (including the name change history) and which, while acknowledging briefly the negative legacy of the name, primarily talks about what a great place Kitchener is today. For example, maybe the portrait could be replaced by a mural that reflects today’s pluralistic society, with a plaque that gives some of the history; the best wall for this wouldn’t necessarily be the exact same wall that now hosts the portrait.
2) Move the portrait to a museum and include it in an exhibit which, among other things, explains the full history of the posting of the portrait, when it was posted, when it was removed, whatever we know about discussions related to both of these events, and anything else that seems relevant.
Depending on the exact nature of the portrait, I might even support leaving it in place but changing its labelling; based on the description, however, that it is a large and presumably complimentary depiction which dominates the space it is in, removal is probably more appropriate in this case.
As to the petition, you could probably get more per capita than there were on the renaming petition. Not sure how many that would be, but definitely a lot more than 380. Not sure how others feel but I would prefer to sign a petition which calls for a replacement display to be developed and the portrait to be moved to a museum than one that simply calls for removal. That way we are for something rather than against something. It’s too easy to be against things; being for something requires a bit more thought.