Was it really ok for Trump to say at that moment in that context "there are good people on both sides"? I found that to be a ridiculous comment. But humans are humans, so it is perfectly reasonable to believe that there are those in every crowd who adhere to some beliefs which may be objectively offensive but still may somehow be a "good person" in other contexts. But does it make sense to defend Trump and say "well, it is complicated and multiple things can be true at once"?

Sorry, not trying to needle for a fight on something like this -- but it seems to me that either AOC -- who has a megaphone and is in a position of societal leadership - has a pretty good point on the Father Damian statue being an example of "white supremacy and patriarchy", or it really is simply not a very good point. I get your concern about the history of colonialism and that is always a fair discussion, but I am just not understanding how this this statue based on the service of Father Damian's life and in the context of both that were chosen by the state of Hawaii serves to make a meaningful or healthy point on this.

In my opinion, feeling the need to use this as some kind of prime example of "white supremacy" is misguided and serves to only sow further seeds of division. Maybe you will tell me I am wrong and insensitive to the notion that perhaps ANY statue honoring an individual who is Christian is de facto an example of white supremacy because of some of the history of Christianity. I wonder if that is where we are today?
[Post edited by fishhoo at 07/31/2020 6:52PM]