Lic. Juan Dalmau, en el Grito de Lares 23/09/2010.

Really? Tell the truth about Christopher Columbus!

Some time ago I wrote...

How ironic is it that we celebrate a man who historically supported the enslavement of natives for economic reasons, was accused of governing tyrannically and used barbaric acts of torture to govern Hispaniola. His discoveries, which were preceded by the various cultures and civilizations of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, make all the negatives disappear.
It is apparent that Columbus' voyages set a chain reaction. His voyages opened the door to the Atlantic slave trade and to the near genocide of indigenous peoples.

Quite simply, his supposed discoveries may be seen to some as celebratory. Some celebrate with a breath of racism and others with ignorance due to faults not of their own. The truths about Columbus that are not taught include the the taking of land, wealth, and labor from indigenous peoples. These truths set the stage for the near extermination of the indigenous peoples and the transatlantic slave trade. Unfortunately, history is told from the victors point of view and so what we learn about Columbus is always conveyed as favorable. What I do know is that the past cannot be changed but what we learn from it can help determine our futures but only if we learn the truths.








Follow these links to some historical truths:

• The Truth About Columbus: "Examining the reputation of Christopher Columbus" By Jack Weatherford......Christopher Columbus' reputation has not survived the scrutiny of history, and today we know that he was no more the discoverer of America than Pocahontas was the discoverer of Great Britain.....Cont.
• The Truth About Columbus...Christopher Columbus, whose real name is Cristobol Colon, of course did not discover America in 1492. In fact, he never claimed to have done so; white historians did it for him. Indigenous people and Afrikans were already living in the western hemisphere, thousands of years before his expedition...Cont.
• America Before Columbus By Rixon Stewart...It may sound a little over the top but it’s really no overstatement to say that much in our modern world is based on falsehood and fabrication. We are told, for example, that Columbus ‘discovered’ America in 1492, yet there is plenty of evidence to suggest that others had visited America before Columbus.... Cont.
• Columbus Day? True Legacy: Cruelty and Slavery By Eric Kasum....Once again, it's time to celebrate Columbus Day. Yet, the stunning truth is: If Christopher Columbus were alive today, he would be put on trial for crimes against humanity....Cont.

Reconsider Columbus Day

To the shelf goes H.R. 2499

Like a roaring lion it was introduced and gained some attention; now with a mere huff and puff it is shelved. H.R. 2499 was introduced  on May 19, 2009 with much debate from all political parties in Puerto Rico and some discussion in the U.S. mainland as well. All the attention seemed to have awakened some to the colonial dilemma that hangs over the island. There seemed like there was some movement when the U.S. Congress acted on the bill. This, I'm sure, brought some smiles to the pro-statehooders who so much wanted this bill to get passed as it leaned heavily in their favor. As the saying goes, "Don't hold your breath".

This past week, news that the U.S. Senate shelved H.R. 2499 should be of no surprise. After 112 years of colonialism, why should this year be any different? Where is the importance? Referendum after referendum, bill after bill and no change has come to the worlds oldest colony. To state that much has been gained is to be pleased with the crumb offerings while still crawling.

Today, the colonial situation remains, the call is that the time is now to move forward on the status issue. The time to move forward was set into motion a long time ago (When the Taino's drowned Diego Salcedo, when the cries for independence were heard in Lares, when nationalist entered the U.S. House of Representatives.....) What you have now is a dilemma and, to some, a social stigma that survival is dependent on the continuance of its current status or statehood.