On December 15, 2022, Congress voted to removed the statue of the Supreme Court justice who wrote the Dred Scott decision in 1857. Congress votes to remove Justice Taneys statue. Links to an external site.answer the following questions:
1) Would you have voted to remove this statue? Explain your position.
2) Should all statues and monuments of Confederate (pro-slavery) historic figures be replaced? Explain.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Removing Statues of Controversial Figures: A Debate on Historical Representation
In recent years, there has been a growing debate surrounding the presence of statues and monuments honoring controversial historical figures, particularly those associated with the Confederacy and pro-slavery ideologies. The recent decision by Congress to remove the statue of Supreme Court Justice Taney, who authored the infamous Dred Scott decision in 1857, has reignited this contentious issue. In this essay, we will explore the arguments for and against the removal of such statues and monuments, as well as the broader implications for historical representation in public spaces.
Thesis Statement
The removal of statues and monuments honoring individuals who supported or upheld pro-slavery ideologies, such as Confederate historical figures, is a necessary step towards promoting inclusivity, equality, and a more accurate representation of history in public spaces.
Would you have voted to remove this statue? Explain your position.
The decision to remove the statue of Justice Taney, known for his role in the Dred Scott decision, is justifiable on several grounds. The Dred Scott decision, which denied citizenship and basic rights to African Americans, is a dark chapter in American history that perpetuated systemic racism and oppression. By honoring Justice Taney with a statue, we are essentially glorifying his actions and perpetuating a legacy of racial injustice.
Moreover, statues and monuments in public spaces are not merely symbols of history but also reflections of our values and principles as a society. Allowing statues of individuals associated with pro-slavery ideologies to remain unchallenged sends a message that we condone or overlook their actions. Removing such statues is a symbolic gesture towards acknowledging past wrongs and working towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Should all statues and monuments of Confederate (pro-slavery) historic figures be replaced? Explain.
The presence of statues and monuments honoring Confederate historical figures raises complex questions about how we choose to remember and commemorate our past. While some argue that these statues are essential for preserving history and heritage, it is crucial to consider whose history is being preserved and at what cost.
Statues of Confederate figures often serve as symbols of white supremacy and glorification of a system built on the exploitation and dehumanization of enslaved people. By continuing to display these statues in public spaces, we not only perpetuate a false narrative of heroism but also inflict harm on marginalized communities who have been historically oppressed.
Replacing statues of Confederate historical figures with symbols that represent a more diverse and inclusive history is a step towards reconciliation and healing. It is imperative that we create public spaces that reflect the values of equality, justice, and respect for all individuals, regardless of race or background.
In conclusion, the debate over the removal of statues and monuments honoring Confederate historical figures is not just about erasing history but about reevaluating how we choose to remember and honor our past. By removing symbols of oppression and replacing them with representations that promote unity and understanding, we take a significant step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
