By Michael Hernandez
NEWBURY PARK—”We are watching anarchists tearing down statues that pertain to our history,” said Pastor Rob McCoy on Fireside Chat 91. “They are tearing down statues of Columbus and Washington and Confederate soldiers and defacing monuments erected in the memory of the Union’s Civil War Black regiment and statues of abolitionists.
“We are watching these marauding hordes go through our cities and destroy these works of antiquity and remembrance. We really do want to have a lifeline to the past so that we can remember these great achievements and see man’s story, God’s story, His story. We can see this story told. We can see the purpose we reside on this earth.
“Each of these statues represent a figure in history. There is not a single figure in history that does not have a sordid past including you and me. When we pass from this earth, we will leave behind the good and the bad. They are fallen and fallible.”
(Editor’s Note: Fireside Chat 91 began with comments about Christopher Columbus statue being torn down in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other statues torn down include Francis Scott Key and former President Ulysses S. Grant. Now, many are seeking the removal of statues of Father Junipero Serra, the 18th century Franciscan friar who founded the first nine of 21 California missions. Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere announced on June 18 that the nine-foot bronze statue of Junipero Serra at Ventura City Hall would be removed though such action has not been approved by the Ventura City Council.)
“We need to look back in time that men and women of the past were not unlike ourselves and they struggled with the exact same thing–man’s struggle for liberty. Each succeeding generation has had to ask these questions and contend for that lifeline.
“I am waiting for a reawakening for a revival in the nation. We need stories that have a central organizing force that can bring us back to the understanding why we do what we do.
“The history of the United States established who we are. We are not a people. We are an idea. To see this idea of America, we need to look at its history. America is a land of hope. It is an invitation to the great American story that we get to be all a part of.
“America which represents such a small portion of the world population over time is responsible for the greatest achievements, the greatest accumulation of wealth, the greatest inventions and more Nobel Prize peace winners, symphonies, and patents on the face of the earth.
“Their significance over time is the reason we put up statues—to remember these moments in history that go beyond normal daily life. There are critical moments in the course of human history that we want to remember—that establishes great things of importance. We put up these statues to remember these noble moments in history.
“When we arrived here, we were Americans. We become citizens of the United States of America. We submit to the design of this nation which is the Constitution—which declares us to be sovereign. To be American citizens, we need to know where it came (from).
“America is the land of hope, refuge and an opportunity for a second chance for those willing to take it. (Initially) the West was this mythical concept—a place of mystery and excitement—a place of hope.
“This is a wakeup call for America. We didn’t appreciate (our statues: our heroes) enough to defend them and to engage in the public square. We start to realize now, when we start to lose them. It is a reflection that we have abandoned a true understanding of history and why we are here.
(Editor’s Note: Godspeak Calvary sponsors a daily livestream at 7 p.m. To see the full story of Christopher Columbus go to Fireside Chat 91 which can be found at the Godspeak Calvary webpage at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT0NXwwHdBs.)
Michael Hernandez, Co-Founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service; editor of the History Makers Report and founder of History Makers International—a community nonprofit serving youth and families in Ventura County, is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. He worked 25 years as a middle school teacher in Monrovia and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted by email at [email protected].
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I could not imagine why Father Serra was sainted by the Pope. The harm that was caused to the indigenous population of Native Americans due to his policies is irreversible and horrific. Sure, he helped build some missions, but that does nothing for anyone, then or now, but place a bloodstain on the history of the Catholic Church. They have enough problems with the priests. Let it go.
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Shaun King
@shaunking
Jun 22
Yes, I think the statues of the white European they claim is Jesus should also come down.
They are a form of white supremacy.
Always have been.
In the Bible, when the family of Jesus wanted to hide, and blend in, guess where they went?
EGYPT!
Not Denmark.
Tear them down.
Tweet Posted
@realDonaldTrump
I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent…..
…..This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions!
Donald J. Trump
Thank you for this eloquent piece. It expresses thoughts and frustration that I have processed this last week. I am devastated at the desecration going on destroying relevant historical statues and symbols both expressions of good and bad decisions made throughout our history. We have evolved and learned from our successes and our mistakes. To obliterate those messages and reminders of our past leads us to repeat our mistakes. Yes we are flawed and imperfect but we must always try to do better. Our history leads us to examine where we could have and can do better. That our elected representatives are a part of this abomination is great cause for concern. May they and us process logical thought and encourage discussion not destruction.
Preserve Catholic history in Ventura County by retaining the Father Junipero Serra statue. Only the Catholics have the right to change their own history. Removing the statue desecrates a great tradition of Catholic heritage and the story of the founding of the California missions. Father Serra was beautified by Pope John Paul II on Sept. 25, 1988 in the Vatican City.