I don’t disagree with most of this. However, I do think that as a culture you can revere aspects of people, certain accomplishments and separate them from their shortcomings. I like that we are having this discussion. I think having these statues with the caveat of stating how immensely imperfect the subject is, is valuable. And I did read the article Re the history of this specific statue. My larger concern is where does it start and where does it end? mk made the case better below when he said, if we can only honor people in the whole, then we are trapped in a lie..
I think mk is making the mistake of applying logic and permanence to an emotional, ephemeral condition. Confederate statues are being taken down because there was no reason for them to ever be up. Jefferson is being taken down because emotions are high. If it calms emotions to move a statue, move the statue. If we as a culture still find something to value about Thomas Jefferson we won't move it far. It's not like we're blowing up the Bamyan Buddhas here.