The land of opportunity, the land of the free, the land of the brave.

As a nation, we believe in this democratic dream so fervently that we have gone to wars, fighting for the cause of spreading our system of government so democracy can be enjoyed by as many as possible.

Freedom is told through every anthem we sing and every firework shot in July.

So why do we allow our country to be filled with Confederate war monuments?

Why are we so stuck on honoring those who have tried — albeit unsuccessfully — to destroy the very values our nation was founded on and the values that allow us to stand out as a nation like none other?

The American Civil War took place during the 1860s between the Union — the United States — and the Confederates — those that seceded — over the conflict of slavery. After four years of fighting the bloodiest war in U.S. history, the Confederates surrendered. The Union won.

Don’t get roped into believing in this false-dilemma fallacy.

This argument isn’t about choosing between remembering the Civil War and tearing down Confederate statues.

There are simply more efficient and respectful ways for this nation to remind ourselves of such a destructive part of our history.

I’m all for education of history — I had a huge interest in learning about this era in school.

Take a stroll down the streets of Germany, and you won’t find any monuments of Hitler.

Even though they don’t exist, it’s pretty likely Germans won’t be forgetting about World War II anytime soon.

In August, a monument once donated by the Daughters of the Confederacy in 1934 was removed from a KC park. According to the Kansas City Star, “the local memorial’s purpose was to recognize the women who supported the Confederacy and slavery.”

I’m sorry, what?

Recognize the women — the brave, patriotic women of our nation — for supporting the forced labor and captivity of human beings?

How noble.

Neither Kansas nor Missouri were ever part of the Confederacy, so why would this monument have ever had a place here?

America should not continue to honor the losers of the war so many of our ancestors sacrificed their lives for.

Rid our nation of these disdainful memorials, and protect our message of freedom for all.