View of History Can Change
To the Editor:
In regards to Ms. Rodibaugh’s letter in the Oct. 8 edition, I’d like to remind Ms. Rodibaugh that history is neither an absolute nor absolutely set. History is fluid and as we learn more about the past the way we view history is subject to change. The lens you described in your letter is one that is biased by the Western European view of the events of early ‘discovery’ and exploration of the Americas.
The fact you attribute the discovery of ‘the new world’ to Columbus is a perfect example. Columbus was neither the first to discover the Americas nor was he the first to visit it which is especially evidenced by the fact that there were massive civilizations (indegenous peoples) that existed when the Western Europeans began arriving in the late-15th century. There is also significant archeological evidence showing Nordic settlements in the Americas some 500 years prior to the arrival of mainland Western Europeans such as Columbus.
It is not unusual to have things we were taught in grade school change. For example, I was taught there were nine planets in our solar system; however, as our knowledge grew, Pluto was declassified as a plant (but still remains a planet in our heart). Similarly, as we learn more about the past, the lens we view history through must also change.
We must also, as stewards of history, be willing to view past events through other lenses to avoid our Western European biases. For example, Americans of Western European heritage hail Columbus as a sort of hero for his ‘discovery’, but we seldom consider what this history looks like through the eyes of the indigenous people of America. What you weren’t taught in grade school is that Columbus, after his maiden voyage to the Americas, returned with 17 ships and 1,200 men taking some 1,500 natives as slaves. Additionally, Columbus and his men committed what amounts to genocide through the extermination of the Arawaks. Columbus also had the hands cut off of any (Hispaniola) Haitian 14 years or older who didn’t bring him enough gold. He is also recorded in a letter to a friend confirming that his crew, with his consent, abducted 9-10 year old native females for nefarious intent.
As we’ve learned more, I think it behooves us to reflect on the person that we celebrate in Christopher Columbus. It behooves us to look through the historical lenses of the indigenous people of the Americas (which are many of our ancestors too) and celebrate their contributions to our society over those of a Western European who was ultimately a human with a trash set of values even when compared to the norms of late 15th century Spain.
Regardless of whether you like it or even agree, change is inevitable and our view of history is not immune.
Eric Green
La Grange