The American Historical Association’s official response to the controversy over Confederate monuments states that African Americans, who “had no voice and no opportunity to raise questions” about the erection of such monuments, should now have their voices heard as cities consider whether to take them down. The statement also urges that “communities faced with decisions about monuments draw on the expertise of historians” as public debate and decision-making continue. In other words, both stakeholders (in this case, African Americans) and experts (historians) should be given special consideration in discussions and decisions about the appropriateness of Confederate monuments.