What do you see in the picture, where do you think this is, what do you think the story is?
Edinburgh in Scotland has many statues; monuments to famous people from history. Like this one of Adam Smith, a famous Scottish economist and philosopher who lived from 1723 to 1790.
A group of campaigners say there is something missing from the collection of statues.
What do you think is missing?
There are no statues of women in Edinburgh.
Why do you think that is?
In 2017 a fundraiser was launched to create a statue of Scottish Suffragist Elsie Inglis. Elise was one of the first women to graduate from Edinburgh University and founded a free hospital and milk bank for Edinburgh's poorest women. During the war, she served as a medic and established a fleet of women-run hospitals. The picture at the top of this page shows the planned statue was unveiled earlier this year. But now there is disagreement about the statue because the campaigners are unhappy.
Can you guess what campaigners are unhappy about?
The sculpture has been named as Alexander Stoddart. Alexander is very experienced and has been commissioned to sculpt the statue. He already has 5 statues in Edinburgh including the one of Adam Smith.
Why do you think the campaigners are unhappy about Alexander creating a statue of Elise Inglis?
Natasha Phoenix is one of the campaigners and also a sculptor. She says the commission is a "cultural embarrassment" and should have been given to a woman.
What is a cultural embarrassment\?
Why do you think campaigners say a woman should have been commissioned?
What are the two sides of this debate?
Natasha says, "It's incredibly important that women's stories are told through the female gaze."
What do you think Natasha means by "the female gaze"?
Do you agree?
The proposed statue shows Elise in a military uniform standing upright and alone on a pedestal. Natasha says this design lacks Elise's qualities - warmth, compassion and spirit. Natasha thinks Elise should be shown in a more caring stance, perhaps with another woman and a baby.
What do you think of these two ideas? Why do you think Alexander chose to put Elise in a miltary uniform?
What are statues normally wearing? Why is that?
What is your opinion, who do you agree with?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
Which British value is this about?
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