Headless Horsemen: Decapitation as a Solution to Tainted Commemorations

This essay explores the controversy surrounding tainted commemorations, specifically statues honouring individuals associated with racism, colonialism, and oppression. Focusing on the removal of a Christopher Columbus statue in Boston during the Black Lives Matter movement, I present common responses to tainted commemorations and propose state-ordained decapitation as an alternative solution. I begin by outlining the concept of tainted commemorations as well as some of the common solutions to these statues: removal, counter-commemorations, and contextualizing plaques. However, I argue that state-ordained decapitation satisfies both Chong-Ming Lim’s (2020) preservationist and self-respect desideratum, while additionally overcoming aesthetic and organizational drawbacks seen in alternative solutions. Further, I respond to objections, addressing economic concerns, distinguishing state-ordained decapitation from vandalism, and proposing limitations to prevent potential misuse of governmental power. Overall, I conclude that decapitation is a feasible response to tainted commemorations, while additionally acknowledging the need for a nuanced approach based on diverse monumental typologies.