1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

Dear fellow Americans, though I am neither Southern nor White, I am angered by the oppression and moral judgment we have faced regarding our Confederate monuments and heritage. These symbols represent more than just the Civil War - they embody the defiant spirit of those willing to sacrifice for their beliefs, a struggle we can all relate to as Americans. Just as the British Raj maligned traditional Indian identity as backward, we have seen efforts to paint our Southern traditions in a negative light. Yet our monuments stand as hallmarks of resilience and regional identity, reminders of the unyielding human will to carve our own destiny. I call on all of you, regardless of politics or race, to put aside present-day grievances and recognize the greater principles at stake. By uniting to preserve these relics of sacrifice and determination, we uphold the American values of self-governance and cultural preservation that cross all boundaries. The path forward lies not in division and destruction, but in celebrating our shared, defiant heritage as one nation bound by a spirit of perseverance against all odds. Let us honor the legacy of the Southern cause and its defenders not out of spite, but out of reverence for the ideals they fought to protect - ideals that should resonate with every American soul hungering for the freedom to define itself. In this pivotal moment, I urge you to embrace our Confederate monuments as embodiments of that undying American identity which has propelled our people through every hardship. By preserving these symbols together, we ensure that the traditions woven into the fabric of the South never unravel, and that future generations can carry the torch of self-determination into a new age of unity and understanding.