Written by Beatriz Maziero e Arthur Elwanger
Introduction and Colosseum
All around the world, there are many monuments with complex histories that are often interpreted differently by different people. For example, the Colosseum, an ancient monument that marks an important period of Roman history, is often seen as a symbol of violence and oppression. While that interpretation can be understood with a simple look back at history, others see the Colosseum as an advancement of engineering and a symbol of the beginning of Roman civilization.
Louisiana’s Nottoway Plantation House
Other controversial monuments include“Louisiana’s Nottoway Plantation House”. Louisiana’s plantation house was a significant historical monument, as it was one of the largest remaining houses from before the Civil War, where enslaved laborers would have worked. On May 15th of 2025, Louisiana’s plantation house caught on fire, which sparked both happiness and anger among the people. While some people saw the house as a symbol of the United States’ independence, strength, and endurance during the Civil War, others see it as a reminder of the slave labor and abuse that used to take place in the home. While there is no doubt that the burning and destruction of the house was unfortunate, others saw this event as a positive occurrence. Louisiana’s Nottoway plantation house’s fire was seen as the destruction of a historical monument and the loss of a piece of history, a testament to the endurance of the Americans during the Civil War. On the other hand, some people saw this fire as an erasure in the history of the Nottoway Plantation and a disregard for the suffering and hardships endured by the slaves. Prior to the fire, the plantation house had been used for weddings and other important ceremonies, making it a remarkable landmark and of high importance to many people. Others would even say that the house fire was a symbolic break from the painful legacy and history of slavery. However, others say that the fire was a symbol for ignorance and minimization of the pain endured by said slaves.
Manuel Borba Gato Statue
Additionally, there are some controversial monuments in Brazil. The statue of Manuel Borba Gato, one of the most important bandeirantes of Brazil’s colonial period, is well known for its significance in Brazil’s history, as well as the various controversies it has been associated with. Built in 1963, in São Paulo, the statue celebrates Manuel Borba Gato’s role as a pioneer and explorer who expanded Brazil’s colonial territory during the 17th century.
However, nowadays, the monument has become a heated topic for debate on how Brazilians should remember the colonial past of their country. Many people argue that Borba Gato was an aggressive pioneer who encouraged slavery and the violent displacement of Indigenous peoples. The pain and suffering endured by the native populations is in no way acceptable, which is why many Brazilians have begun protesting against this violence through the vandalism of Borba Gato’s statue in São Paulo. The most notable vandalism of the statue was when it was set on fire in 2021 by activists hoping to spread awareness about the darker aspects of Brazil’s colonial history. Supporters of the statue, however, argue that it represents an important chapter in Brazil’s history and is a symbol of identity and resilience, particularly for the native and colonial populations.
Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl
Lastly, there is the statue of the “Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl”. The charging bull statue, located in New York’s Financial District (Wall Street), represents financial optimism, prosperity, and resilience. The Fearless Girl statue was installed as an effort to inspire companies to hire more women for leadership positions. This monument became controversial because, while some people see the statue as a symbol of strength and endurance, others interpret it as a “feminist opponent ”. Instead of seeing it purely as a symbol of equality, which was the original intention for the “Fearless Girl” statue, some viewed it as a form of feminism, suggesting that women are more powerful and can endure more than men. But what does the Fearless Girl have to do with the charging bull? Well, since the bull is a symbol of strength, and the girl is “going against the bull”, people saw this as distorting the bull’s image. The bull, which once symbolized strength and resilience, is now being challenged by a small girl, which some interpreted as an insult to the bull itself.
Conclusion
There is no denying that these monuments have a large impact on the history of our world, but there are and always will be different interpretations of each of these monuments. They stand as symbols of the past, but the way people choose to remember them reflects a shifting perspective on our history. For some, they represent resilience and endurance; for others, they represent conflict, challenge, and even oppression.
EAC PRESS 