Commemorate More Than SJAM

Most of these discussions have been focused on whether or not they would like the statues of Sir John A. MacDonald to stay in Kingston, but have offered little other alternatives. I hope that I discuss both well.

The removal of SJAM statues are not erasing history. Statues are a representation of who and what a particular society values. While anti-indigenous rhetoric was widespread in SJAM's time and he cannot be single-handedly blamed for this long-held discrimination, he actively participated in and encouraged the starving of indigenous people to force them onto reserves alongside other atrocities.

SJAM's entire legacy is more suited to being displayed in a museum, not held up on a pedestal as a role model. I would prefer to see less of a focus on SJAM in Kingston, and more of a highlight on other local figures or communities that are lesser-known, but deserving. I would like to see stories of communities that we don't often know about, for example indigenous people, Kingston's Muslim population, Jewish population, LGBTQ+ folks, immigrants, differently-abled people, etc.

Kingston is so much more than SJAM's old stomping ground! It's time to hear some more stories.