KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Should it stay or should it go? That's the question being asked across the country when it comes to confederate statues.



Here in Kalamazoo, the Fountain of the Pioneers is now getting national attention after the Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece comparing the fountain to confederate statues.

Downtown Kalamazoo's Bronson Park is home to the Fountain of the Pioneers.

“It is history but it's still wrong,” said Jemey Schouster, of Kalamazoo.

At nearly 88 years old, the fountain shows a white pioneer standing over a Native American.

“I think stuff like this is offensive, maybe put something more peaceful instead of guy holding a club while a native american is kneeling,” said Anthony Weatherspoon, of Kalamazoo.

Some want it gone. Others argue you can't erase history.

Titled "The Statue Kalamazoo Didn't Demolish," local attorney Jim Marquardt penned the opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal.

"Americans should pause before erasing symbols of the past simply because they serve as one-sided reminders of a problematic history," Marquardt said.

“You know, I just think that people like to read too much into things and make a bigger deal out of it than it needs to be,” said Molly Becker, of Kalamazoo.

The city discussed removing the fountain more than a decade ago.

“Part of the discussion was can we erase history what about the feeling of people who come on site, what about the national context-things have changed today of course,” said City of Kalamazoo Grant Specialist Steve Brown.

Race relations today and the current political climate have reignited discussions on the fountain and what the message it sends.

“It's obviously a hot topic,” Brown said.

Brown would not comment on whether the Fountain of the Pioneers can be compared to confederate statues.

“I know it's part of history but it's kind of a bad part of history; I don't think we should kind of celebrate that,” Weatherspoon said.

“It's what happenedso,” said Becker.

The city is raising money and collecting grant dollars to restore the fountain--the park's centerpiece.

“I think they should take it down and put something else up,” said Schouster.

Last year, the fountain secured its own spot on the National Register of Historic Places. However, that doesn't mean the city can't remove it.



