This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Re "Amid name debate, Dixie removes Confederate statue" (Tribune, Dec. 7):
About the removal of his "The Rebels" Confederate statue from the Dixie State College campus, sculptor Jerry Anderson said: "It looks like they have succumbed to the adversary," "They are a bunch of wusses," "The other people are winning," and "We are giving in to people who really aren't Americans."
Just who is "they," "the other people," "people who really aren't Americans," and "wusses"? And who is the "adversary"? Are they African-Americans, liberals, socialists, Democrats, the Union, or people with intelligence and social consciences?
I am never in favor of censoring art and hope a place is found for Anderson's sculpture — but not at the college. A college institution is a place for education, awareness and enlightenment, which Anderson's comments display none of.
Sadly, his comments do show the mind-set behind the creation of his sculpture, and that is why it must go.
Ryan Hinkins
Salt Lake City