In Barcelona, the statue of Christopher Columbus is a major landmark. In the early hours of this morning a bunch of know-nothings sprawled graffiti on the statue and set the base aflame. The fire was quickly put out before major damage could be done.
Several hours prior, the statue had been the scene of protests and counter protests. Representatives of the conservative party, Vox, defended the statue and spoke of what it represents to Spain.
The second video shows the damage done to the monument.
4 comments:
Columbus perpetuated a genocide on the Natives he encountered. He should not be celebrated.
Are you even aware of his hideous cruelties? He kept journals. It's all there in the historical record.
Anonymous,
I am generally aware of what Columbus did. I have read that he sent some captured natives back to Spain as slaves. The entire history of the Spanish conquistadores in the New World is full of bad things.
It is a dilemma many countries face. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned slaves. Are we to erase them from our history? You cannot erase someone like Columbus from our history.
In this mad rush to destroy statues, many innocuous or truly good people are being attacked.
Final point: If you want to remover a statue, do it the proper way, discuss the bio of the person and start a petition or drive to the local authorities to consider removing it. People do not have the right to simply destroy or pull down historical statues on their own.
BTW: What do you think of West Virginia removing a statue of Robert Byrd from their state house or changing all the roads, bridges and buildings named after him?
No offense, but you should read up a bit more on Columbus. It was far worse than enslaving a few. (We're talking rape, torture, mutilations, etc.) You won't meet the Natives of Hispaniola because they are completely gone, mostly due to the policies of Columbus. Having a statue of him is like having a statue of Hitler.
And I don't understand this talking point of "erasing history". Statues aren't history. The history isn't going anywhere.
As for the example you cited, I'm fine with removing it.
The values of societies change all the time. Thousands of years ago, pagans cried as the Christians tore down their monuments.
It's just the way of things.
So, I'm fine with Byrd going. I heartily endorse Columbus going.
I respect your opinion on this, but there is a proper way to remove controversial monuments and an improper way.
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