The debate over statues of John A. Macdonald and keeping the name of Egerton Ryerson on public schools has rekindled in the last month. The discovery of 215 children in unmarked graves in Kamloops and the continued discovery of more unmarked graves in various Residential Schools across the country have given cause to examine these men’s legacy.
Roland wrote a piece for the 905er website which made explicit the case that statues and names on building does not make a historical legacy. Joel and Roland talk about the idea and how these icons make for pretty lazy history classes. History is much more nuanced and complex. We talk about the true complicated legacy of these men and what a better way for Canadians to memorialize and learn about accomplishments in the past might be.
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Thanks to:
Nicholas Paul: sound editing
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