The city of Charleston's History Commission meets at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to consider the inscription of a new plaque to be placed on the John C. Calhoun statue in Marion Square.
The proposed language centers on Calhoun's background as an advocate for slavery. It begins:
"This statue to John C. Calhoun (1782 - 1850) is a relic of the crime against humanity, the folly of some political leaders and the plaque of racism. It remains standing today as a grave reminder that many South Carolinians once viewed Calhoun as worthy of memorialization even though his political career was defined by his support of race-based slavery. Historic preservation, to which Charleston is dedicated, includes this monument as a lesson to future generations."
If approved, the plaque would be a big first step in fulfilling the Mayor John Tecklenburg’s charge to the commission to add a number of revised historical markers as well as some new monuments across the city to create a more balanced narrative of Confederate-related history.
His approach has been met with mixed reviews. Some are supportive, while other residents believe the monument and other Confederate relics should be moved to museums.