So, british mumsnet, how do you feel about statues of Queen Victorian and QEII torn down in Canada?

[Evangeli]

www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57693683

While we're talking about statues, curious to hear opinions on this. Are you shocked, outraged or just "meh"? I feel this is different from the slaver captain who was torn down last year (in Plymouth?) or the military/politician men who have been toppling across Canada- it feels even more iconoclastic?

Personally I'm anti-monarchist, so it's all good to me, but would like to discuss it. fwiw, I grew up in the UK but immigrated to Canada as an adult.

Vikings came and ethnically cleansed part of England. We have whole museums dedicated to them.

I thought they settled down here?

I'm not sure how you ethnically cleanse a very mixed bag anyway tbh!

Which museums are dedicated to the ethnic cleansing carried out by the Vikings?

Sutton hoo is awesome so it's not that one.

Its good.

@moonbedazzled that's quite a leap. Much was rewritten about the Vikings.

Literally could not care less.

I hope the materials used for the statues can be reworked into a memorial for all the children lost and those whose lives were ruined.

I also wonder in Australia will do the same.

Really couldn't care less.

I think people have a point about empire, colonialism etc. Saying we 'founded' anything when I'm sure people already lived there may be insulting to some. If they wanted to make a point, they made it.

It did make me giggle that the picture of the queens statue they chose was face planting on the ground. Poor Queenie

I think they should make appropriate arrangements and take it down carefully and safely and not make such a scene. Especially since no one seems to care.

I'm sure some of the royal family might not be too happy though.

I don't like the mob mentality of people deciding that we all have to have the same opinion, more than the fact that they pulled it down.

Where’s Canada again? Perched on top of the U.S of A doing nothing much…. I’m meh

Same as others said…. Your options are biased, you didn’t come here for any debate at all

The mass graves of many, many dead indigenous children are far more important than a bloody statue. Tear it all down.

@GetOffThatPhone

The mass graves of many, many dead indigenous children are far more important than a bloody statue. Tear it all down.

Tearing the statues down isn’t going to miraculously resurrect them. Nothing can be achieved without a time machine. Maybe we should direct our energies towards stopping current atrocities instead of pointless virtue signalling.

That's a good point blossoms.

Yes, Blossomtoes virtue signalling and blaming it on QEII (the reason for which still escapes me) is so much easier than actually doing anything about improving the lot of indigenous people in the present. Here you go, we pulled this bit of metal down, that'll do.

@SoMuchForSummerLove

Don't give a shit. I think statues should be chosen as signposts to where we want society to go, not memorials to people who had more than their fair share for no good reason.

Well said

As long as people like this exist, the statues from the past should be removed. I like seeing them pissed off.

Queen Victoria was a horrible woman.

Completely horrible or a bit horrible or horrible at times? I can't say I've ever thought of her as horrible. She was a flawed human being as all are.

I thank goodness the British empire ended long before I was born.

I get the vibe that you posted this to ensure 'everyone' in the UK knew that this was going on and you are disappointed that many don't care.

Personally I think that any vandal who destroys private or public property should be given an appropriate sentence and be made to pay for the damages

As an Empress Victoria probably wasn’t the worst, but in general to maintain power they all had to be ruthless. I just hope woke brigade won’t go after the Romans when they’ve finished with the other empires.

I’m not sure what QEII has to do with it. Still symbolic of empire I guess.

The story about the indigenous children is so horrific

And assimilation in general was such an awful policy.

@mustlovegin

I get the vibe that you posted this to ensure 'everyone' in the UK knew that this was going on and you are disappointed that many don't care.

Personally I think that any vandal who destroys private or public property should be given an appropriate sentence and be made to pay for the damages

I get that vibe too.

I think they are disappointed that we aren't all crying from our hurt pride and shame.

@TheMarzipanDildo

I’m not sure what QEII has to do with it. Still symbolic of empire I guess.

The story about the indigenous children is so horrific

I don't get it either. The empire finished after the second world war, 1945. The Queen became queen in 1952.

Oh well.

Agree about the children, it's horrible. However in some ways it doesn't surprise me because kids were often treated badly and made to 'conform', there was no respect for culture or individuality. However, if they were murdered....that takes it to a whole new level. We don't it all yet.

So many myths, this is why we need a decent History curriculum, compulsory to GCSE level.
Keep the statues they tell us about our history.
Queen Victoria was an amazing woman, she cared for my ancestors, she'll do for me.
"I will not let my people starve"