Dear people of the Southwest,
I recently moved back to Durango after several years, and was deeply saddened and shocked to learn that the racist sign/statue by the Toh-Atin Gallery in the heart of Durango is still standing. I moved back because our beautiful city is so friendly, quiet and calming, but hearing that this sign is still allowed to be amongst us sends a powerful message. What we permit around us – especially monuments, statues and the like – shows all what we truly stand for. This statue tells the world that what we value, as the citizens of Durango, is profit over people and the inherent dignity of all.
No amount of reasoning can justify that this blatantly racist statue is still permitted to stand tall in our town. It makes me much less proud to call myself a Durangoan – when something hurts one (in this case, many), it hurts all of us. I beg of you to reconsider allowing this harmful monument to stand and mar our beautiful city, and harm so many of our brothers and sisters.
We, the people of Durango, are better than this. We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to this statue. Surely, we can find a solution that will satisfy the signage needs of the gallery and harm none. I believe in Durango, and I believe that we can work together to heal our city. We are a beautiful and strong people. Let’s show the world who we really are.
Leaf Kizior
Durango
