I would go to such a demonstration, and I think any non-racist who knew about
the atrocities of Columbus and wasn't involved in something even more pressing
would go out of her/his way to go. I don't think you should feel severely
toasted, but rather severely ignorant. Not only was Columbus responsible for
initiating the genocide of the very group of natives that at first helped him,
but he was sponsored by the heads of the recently religious pure Spain,
imfamous for its repression against and expulsion of its Moors and its Jews.
Does the word "inquisition" ring a bell? Exploration and discovery are lofty
terms that in our convoluded traditions essentially represent the not-so-lofty
facts that what we were really doing is engaging in conquering, genocidal
imperialism to the greatest extent allowed by law and custom. That is what
the U.S. government and many of its citizens are still doing, even explicitly.
> For example, there is no doubt that cultural and physical genocide has been
> (and contiues to be) practiced against Native Americans. As such, we should
> (and I try to in my classes) educate non-Natives about these practices in
> the hope of bringing about sympathy and change. However, to claim that
> Columbus Day is a CELEBRATION of genocide is somewhat extreme, at
> least. Likewise, I think that American history books need to recognize the
> significant impacts of cultural and technological transfers from Native
> Peoples to European immigrants. However, to imply that the history of
> democratic practices only comes from Native sources and to deny the culture
> of democracy found in Europe (you know, the Greeks) will not sway many
> people to the legitimacy of recognizing the contributions of Native People.
It is critical that rememberance of such things as Columbus's voyage recall
all the facts of what happened and not be glossed over and turned into a
Christmaslike holiday. Why? Because that is a basis for society in general
to remember accurately its own history. Why is that important? Because if
you don't know your own history, you are much more likely to repeat it in
a very bad way. I don't want to see any more "exploration" or "capitalism"
for the sake of white America via the blood of non-white America, and I was,
not by my own preferences, born a white American. I feel a lot better when
I'm celebrating, as well as the rest of the time, when I know I'm celebrating
something good and just. Likewise I feel better after protesting something
evil and bad. That's all the reason it should take.
Sincerely, Xeno