In the wake of worldwide protests over the George Floyd murder the nation has seen a myriad of symbolic changes, and none more so than here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Last week it was discussed how Governor Ralph Northam and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney voted to remove the statues of Confederate leaders in Richmond as well as Prince William County Superintendent Steve Walts announcing the change of Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas. Now, the young voices of today are leading the way once again to initiate greater change in our area.

The PW Perspective recently had the opportunity to interview Liv Mumma of Gainesville. Mumma, along with Langston Carter and Elizabeth Johnson, is part of a group of students that have created a petition to remove the controversial statue of Stonewall Jackson in Manassas. She took the time to discuss with us the genesis of this process and how things have been going thus far.

“I only learned the history of the statue within the last year because the statue does not have many descriptive features,” said Mumma when asked how this all started. “After seeing the debates over taking down statues in Richmond I realized that we have the exact same issue in my hometown, and I have contributed by not acting. I wanted to correct this mistake and make a statement that shows that there are more than a couple college students who find it offensive and ridiculous.”

How many signatures have been received so far? “Currently we have almost 550 signatures and have been contacted by (National Parks Service Director) Lisa Mendelson-Ielmini once to confirm she received our emails,” Mumma responded. “No delegates, congressmen, or the governor have responded. I am hoping to reach a couple thousand signatures to get their attention and enact change.”

Mumma goes on to explain the feedback she has received, both positive and negative. “The feedback among students and young people has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve gotten so many comments supporting this petition and saying they would share.”

“However, older people and even Democratic groups in the PWC area have reacted fairly negatively and reject the idea that the monument represents white supremacy. They have used their private groups to tear apart the petition and throw insults my way about how I am destroying history and that it isn’t about racism.”

She continues, “This is very surprising considering all the support I have gotten in the past from them, and the way they lift up Black culture but fail to support the movement and actual change. I have also gotten hateful and curse-filled messages from adults I know through [James Madison University] and through my social media. It may not be important to note but they are all Republican.”

We asked about those who may not understand the purpose of the petition, and she explains in detail. “The petition exists to take down the two-story monument to Confederate general “Stonewall” Jackson that is at the Manassas National Battlefield Park. We are asking Lisa Mendelson-Ielmini to pursue the removal and acknowledge the harm it does standing today.”

“The statue serves to honor “one of the greatest soldiers of the Anglo-Saxon race” according to our Virginia governor at the time, and was made possible by the Sons of Confederate Veterans to show a leader during the height of the Confederate power. The statue’s only relevant historical connection to this park is that the general got his nickname “Stonewall” at battles on the land. But due to “aesthetic” concerns, it is not on the hill where the nickname originated and historical accuracy was knowingly given up to build a more pleasing memorial. If that isn’t the most ridiculous historical reason to build a two-story statue in the wrong location, I don’t know what is.”

What should people know about the statue? “Know that this is not a historical monument. This is a memorial to honor white supremacy and hatred towards Black Americans. No one builds a nearly twenty-foot statue of a person to inform people of a nickname.”

She provides a link for those who would like to sign the petition. “If you want to sign the petition you can go to change.org! A great way to help is to use the pre-written email to the NPS director we wrote (it’s one click and you type your name and location in) or contact the local officials (all of which is linked at the bottom of the petition).“

If you want to get involved with helping spread the petition and work with the group please send a message on Twitter @Liv_Mumma.

“We have a great group that started writing this petition and we welcome any help to make this successful!”

As we conclude the interview, she discussed the overall issue that everyone should understand regarding the statue and why it should be removed. “No matter the history of a statue or the context of it being built, a statue that does not actively acknowledge and condemn it’s past and act to inform people of its racist beginnings is contributing to the problem. An act of racism that was average for the time does not mean it is not an act of racism.”

“Hate that was immortalized in a statue 80 years ago is hate today.”

The PW Perspective would sincerely like to thank Ms. Mumma for her contributions to this article.