Shrines.

[joe-90]

Why do we have them? there is a plaque on the pavement where Stephen Lawrence was killed.

At Stockwell tube station it resembles a circus where the Brazilian was shot.

Why are they there? Why can't people just move on? I wouldn't want a shrine outside my place or near my station. Who would?

Even some road deaths have shrines in the road. Why?

And then there is the Damilola Taylor building. Why?

 

[JohnD]

Then there's Nelson's Column, the Albert Memorial, the Monument, those big white crosses in every village and small town.

 

[joe-90]

Then there's Nelson's Column, the Albert Memorial, the Monument, those big white crosses in every village and small town.

But they aren't 'shrines' are they?

 

[hermes]

And what about those bench seats that say "In loving memory of Uncle Albert"? And what about churchyards, they're full of bloomin' memorials?

 

[joe-90]

And what about those bench seats that say "In loving memory of Uncle Albert"? And what about churchyards, they're full of bloomin' memorials?

But they aren't memorials marking murder are they?

I'm sure Stephen Lawrence isn't buried under the pavement.

 

[JohnD]

But they aren't 'shrines' are they?

What are the distinguishing characteristics of a 'shrine,' then?

 

[joe-90]

But they aren't 'shrines' are they?

What are the distinguishing characteristics of a 'shrine,' then?

Look at my first post and use your brain.

 

[JohnD]

I did but you didn't like it. Your first post gives examples of memorials to the dead, in public places, but you didn't think that included my examples.

Is it a memorial for someone who was murdered or killed in an accident or killed by mistake, then? But not a memorial for someone who died of natural causes or as a combatant in a major war?

Would you include a memorial to the civilians killed at Bank underground station by a German bomb, or in the Tower of London by an IRA bomb?

 

[joe-90]

I did but you didn't like it. Your first post gives examples of memorials to the dead, in public places, but you didn't think that included my examples.

Is it a memorial for someone who was murdered or killed in an accident or killed by mistake, then? But not a memorial for someone who died of natural causes or as a combatant in a major war?

Call them whatever you like but stick to the examples I've provided.

Why are they made into public monuments?

 

[JohnD]

Princess Diana's fountain? Fred & Rosemary West's garden? Blue plaques on London houses?

I still don't know how you decide which ones to disapprove of.

 

[joe-90]

Princess Diana's fountain? Fred & Rosemary West's garden? Blue plaques on London houses?

I still don't know how you decide which ones to disapprove of.

Shrines that glorify murder.

Would you like the Stephen Lawrence plaque outside your house if he'd been killed there? If so why?

 

[JohnD]

Sorry, I still don't know which ones you disapprove of.

...Even some road deaths have shrines in the road.

Not just murder, then?

But I'm pretty sure the memorials are not intended to glorify murder. Quite the reverse.

In the London borough where I used to live there is a small rose garden maintained by the council down some quiet residential streets. It is actually over a plague-pit where the bodies of many local residents were thrown. I think it would be a gesture of respect to have a plaque or something explaining what it is.

 

[joe-90]

You seem to have missed this John:

Would you like the Stephen Lawrence plaque outside your house if he'd been killed there? If so why?

 

[JohnD]

You seem to have missed this John:

Would you like the Stephen Lawrence plaque outside your house if he'd been killed there? If so why?

I would feel a million times more strongly about a racist murder than about a tablet in the pavement.

I'm used to crosses, gravestones, floral tributes, brass plaques, memorial stones - no big deal. Round here we have memorials to those lost at sea, as well as those fallen in war, and plenty of benches and trees with brass plates on them.

In fact, one of my chums in a local organisation (we have a lot of older members and have them drop off the perch from time to time, leaving money for some item of rememberance) joked that when he pegged out, he'd leave us a machine for engraving brass plates. I don't find it at all upsetting.

 

[jbonding]

You seem to have missed this John:

Would you like the Stephen Lawrence plaque outside your house if he'd been killed there? If so why?

Joe you seem to do this all the time, you start a thread about something then it becomes something else. why didnt you start the thread like this;

"Would you like the Stephen Lawrence plaque outside your house if he'd been killed there? If so why?"

Then we could answer the real question your asking. Your not stupid, if your friend or family were killed and people who cared left flowers and teddies at the spot im sure you would be touched. Ill tell you what goes through my mind everytime i drive past a spot near me where some young kid died in a stolen car. sad,sad sad, what a waste and missed, but it also warns other people and keeps the memory alive for some people. just thank your lucky stars theres not a joe90 plaque outside your house.