Chinanews, October 21. Is Columbus "the greatest navigator in human history"?

Columbus "discovered the new continent of America" ​​changed the course of history. Whose course of history?

The BBC wrote that in October, while commemorating "Columbus Day" in many parts of the world, there were more and more reflections and examinations of the history of Columbus "discovering the New World of America" ​​more than 500 years ago.

dispute

Is "Columbus Day" memorable?

　　In the history textbooks of many countries around the world, Columbus is known as the explorer who "discovered the new continent of America".

However, this argument is not without controversy.

On November 28, 2019, local time, the annual Native American Thanksgiving Day out ceremony was held on Alcatraz Island (Alcatraz Island) in San Francisco, USA.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

　　First of all, explorers from Europe arrived on the North American continent long before Columbus, and Columbus was not the first person to "discover the Americas".

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the 11th-century Nordic Viking explorer Leif Eriksson once visited North America, 500 years before Columbus.

　　Secondly, the Americas have aboriginal people since ancient times. Columbus's so-called "discovery" refers to the "discovery" of the Americas by Europeans. However, this discovery completely changed the history of America.

　　As US President Biden said, after Columbus "discovered the Americas," the natives of the Americas suffered a disaster due to the invasion, plunder and diseases brought in by European colonists.

　　Nowadays, the human rights atrocities committed by European colonists after Columbus "discovered the Americas" have become more and more known, and more and more people have raised objections to the commemoration of "Columbus Day."

Reflection

From "Columbus Day" to "Indigenous Peoples Day"

　　In the United States, more and more cities including Alaska, Hawaii, and Oregon, as well as Denver, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, no longer commemorate "Columbus Day." More and more places and communities have set up "Indigenous Peoples Day." People's understanding of the history, culture and status quo of the aboriginal peoples that have been neglected for hundreds of years.

Data map: US President Biden.

　　US President Biden also announced this month that this year's "Columbus Day" will be commemorated at the same time as "Indigenous Peoples Day" in the United States.

　　The White House issued an announcement before "Columbus Day" stating that Columbus was the first Italian explorer to reach America more than 500 years ago. During the centuries after him, many Italians came to America to find a better life. Now millions The planned Italian-Americans continue to contribute to the country and society.

　　But the announcement also emphasized: "Today we also acknowledge the painful history of many European explorers' mistakes and atrocities against tribal and indigenous peoples. One of the criteria to measure whether a country is great is to see whether we deliberately cover up its shameful past. It depends on whether we face it honestly, whether we let them out of the world, and whether we do our best to deal with them."

　　"For the Native Americans, Western expeditions have brought a devastating shock wave: Natives encounter violence, native tribes are displaced due to occupation of their homes, diseases are introduced and spread, and so on."

　　In Mexico City, the local city government has decided to replace the Columbus monument with an unnamed female aboriginal sculpture.

　　In many Latin American countries, the anniversary of the landing of Columbus is also called "Race Day" to celebrate the diverse roots of Spanish culture.

　　Venezuela also changed the name of "Columbus Day" to "Indigenous Resistance Day" to commemorate the indigenous people and their experiences.

　　In London, England, some people even splashed paint on the statue of Columbus on Belgrave Square. This statue was a gift from Spain to the United Kingdom to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America.

Apologize

Liquidation of European colonial history

　　In the eyes of observers, the reflection on the history of Western colonists, including Columbus, in various parts of the world, especially in the Americas, is a continuation of the "black man's life is also a fate" rights defense movement that began in the United States last year.

The slogan "The life of a black man is also life" scribbled on the pavement in front of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York, USA.

　　After many historical figures who participated in the trafficking and exploitation of slaves in the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries were protested and condemned by the people, the reflection and liquidation of the history of European colonialism have also been traced back to an earlier time.

　　Columbus, the hero who was once hailed as the "world's great navigator", and the great figure who was once designated by the United States for Federal Memorial Day, has finally come to a historical moment facing a comprehensive reflection and liquidation.

　　In March 2019, Mexican President Obrador wrote to the King of Spain and Pope Francis, calling for an apology for human rights violations committed 500 years ago when Europe conquered the Americas.

　　He said: "There have been massacres one after another...We now regard these as violations of the human rights of the indigenous people. Although it is time for reconciliation, we should apologize first!"

　　Spain rejected the request for an apology from the Mexican president, stating: “500 years ago, the Spaniards came to the present Mexican territory and cannot judge the past according to contemporary standards. Our two fraternal countries have always known how to adopt a constructive perspective. , To interpret our common past without anger."

　　However, when Pope Francis visited Mexico in 2016, he shouted to the indigenous people: "Some people think that your values, your culture and traditions are inferior to theirs. Others are deceived by power, money and market trends and stole them. Your land has polluted your land. What a sad thing."

　　"If each of us examines our own conscience and learns to say'forgive me,' how meaningful it should be!"