A monument is a large structure, statue, or building created to honor a person, event, or idea, and to help people remember it. Monuments can be historic landmarks, war memorials, or public art.
From Latin “monumentum,” meaning “memorial, reminder,” from “monere,” “to remind, warn.” The original idea was something that keeps memory alive.
Monuments are literally ‘reminders’ set in stone, which is why debates about them are so intense—they decide what a society chooses to remember. Every statue in a square is a frozen argument about what matters.
Public monuments have historically commemorated predominantly male leaders, soldiers, and thinkers, reflecting gendered power structures in decisions about who is memorialized. Women’s and gender-diverse people’s contributions have often been excluded or minimized in monumental architecture and statuary.
When discussing monuments, be explicit about whose histories are represented or omitted, and avoid assuming that commemorated figures are men unless specified. Support inclusive language that recognizes underrepresented groups in public memory.
Acknowledge women and gender-diverse people whose achievements have often gone unmonumented, and consider naming specific women-led movements or figures when talking about the expansion or redesign of monuments.
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