VCC Magazine Fall 2019

that removing these idols would be an act of justice that could bring healing to many people in this community. Phil, the co-leader, and I felt that churches have a specific responsibility to respond to these statues and to do something to try and get the city to remove them.” The sites for this study included not only the now-infamous Lee statue (which remains standing after an April court ruling), but monuments to Stonewall Jackson, Lewis and Clark, and, perhaps most controversial, the Thomas Jefferson statue that welcomes visitors to the University of Virginia. A bulletin from the series states core understandings behind the study, one being that “the people of Charlottesville are united in their desire to see our idols to White supremacy come down.” When asked whether observers have reaffirmed this statement since becoming aware of his initiative, Collins shared that “the feedback has been largely positive,” particularly among young people in Charlottesville. He described supporters of the statues as “a well-funded minority, but a minority nonetheless.” Although this project confronted fonts of White supremacy from a Christian perspective, in some ways as a response to the manyWhite supremacists who use decontextualized Scripture passages as the impetus behind their hateful beliefs, Collins does not think that White supremacy is “a uniquely Christian problem.” He makes the bold declaration that “every White person is complicit in the false religion of White Supremacy…whether someone considers themselves religious or not, they are an adherent of this particular faith.” For Collins, the idolatry that mimics Biblical fonts of idol worship goes beyond oppressive monuments. From his perspective, “America, and its founding myths, is an idol that blindsWhite people to the truth of the suffering that we inflict on non-White people all over the world. Until we smash that idol, we won’t truly understand the blood price that we pay for our current lifestyle.” As for his hopes for Charlottesville as a whole moving beyond the Swords into Plowshares series, Collins has a message of optimism and encouragement in this particular fight for justice: “We are so lucky to have people that love this place enough to fight to improve it. May God give them the strength to continue their struggle.” Katherine S.R. Cantone, University of Virginia ‘20, Echols Scholars Program.

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