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Do you believe that kidnapping the bodies of Native Americans is wrong? Then why do you celebrate Columbus Day?
Do you believe that it is wrong for persons to be judged by the color of their skin ? Then why do you celebrate Columbus Day?
Do you think it was okay for Native Americans to have their noses nailed to doors or sold into slavery? Then why do you celebrate Columbus Day?
Do you find it a good thing that a person endorses the sexual exploitation of Native American women? Then why do you celebrate Columbus Day?
Do not take my word for it; Christopher Columbus happily admits most of these in his letters.
The disease of hero-worship infects the way in which many Americans understand history. We are taught from an early age not to question our teachers or their propositions. This all makes the education system compliant in the subordination of colonial subjects; rather than face the truth of our violent histories, confess our sins, and work for reconciliation, we remain indignant in our depravity and continue to work towards the expansion of our own human empires, glorifying a particular view of human power, reason, experience, and wealth over all others.
Whenever I say a critical word about traditional heroes such as those from the Protestant Reformation, I am blasted for being ignorant or anti-intellectual as if second-hand knowledge is inferior and as if first-hand knowledge of the original language is superior to all other forms of knowledge as if there exists some hierarchy of knowledge. Reading people in their original language and then defending them as such does not justify MASS MURDER AND RAPE! Their words DO NOT justify their actions. These same group of people which they know who they are constantly bow down at the altars of killers such Ulrych Zwingli are the same folks who discount anything that people of color have done or said or written; for example, they are usually the ones who say that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work should be discredited because he is an adulterer. It is a complete double-standard.
To say that I am not taking these people in their historical context is ridiculous. That argument just falls into moral relativism and presupposes that we have already have a full, objective grasp of what their historical context was. This still does not excuse people’s activities. If Christians believe God came to Earth, and gave us real ordinances to follow, such as the Golden Rule or the Royal Law (Love God with everything we have and love our neighbors as ourselves), and people who claim to be Christians act contrary to it, saints have every right to condemn and resist those actions. I am not perfect; far from it, but I will not stand idly by while the Church remains caught up in it European idol worship of Christopher Columbus, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Ulrych Zwingli, among others. Yes these men did contribute good things, but from an early age, we are not told a fuller rendering of the truth, rather, a very selective one in the name of hero worship. Half-truths only lead us into living lies, and continuing to participate in systems of oppression.
Instead of siding with those who uphold the histories of oppression in a positive light, maybe we should consider perhaps listening to those who have suffered on the underside of imperial histories, like the Native Americans. In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan commemorated Native American Day in California to held the fourth Friday in September. Given Reagan’s ambiguous history in fighting for human freedom, we can at least recognize his effort in his endeavor. Maybe this could serve as an example for efforts toward truth and reconciliation, where we side with the oppressed.
As Jesus said, the Truth will set you free.
Is anyone really worshipping Chris Columbus as a hero? I think moat Americans just hope they get a day off work along with their kids who are home from school.
I think the real question is whether we can honor people who haven’t lived perfect lives and have even done some bad things. If the answer is no then only Jesus still stands of someone worth honoring. Some belive that is the case but I don’t think that actually works out practically.
The question of historical perspective in judging people of the past is appropriate. If you, Rod, go on to do great things in this world and help all kinds of people but people of the future judge Internet use or eating meat to be huge moral evils, should history look back on you in condemnation? Or would you hope that they took your historical and cultural context into account?
Bryan L
Bryan L
Good questions as usual Bryan.
All that I am saying is that children should learn the good side and the bad side of people’s lives, a fuller account of truth rather than nationalist propaganda. I was under the impression that Columbus was a friend of the Natives because of the books and videos we were shown. That contradicts the facts and Columbus’s own words.
If a nation recognizes someone and sets apart a day for him, that person is someone who is a hero. Congress made the decision in 1971, and it was the wrong one. Why should we not recognize those who were here before Columbus? Because their voices have been suppressed.
And on the question of having a historical perspective, again, the people in the future, unless they are completely perfect or just lying to themselves, will not have a full objective grasp of our history. We are limited in what we can judge from the past, so actions really do matter. I cannot judge Columbus by his words but by his actions and the fruit of his actions, it is appropriate if we share the same truth claim. He was, after all, a professed Christian. I understand in context the quest for new discoveries in the new world; that does not give Columbus a get out of hell free pass for permitting the rape of Native women anymore than Christians do not give Judas a pass for betraying Jesus.
Also Bryan,
Scripture, the Ten Commandments, and Jesus tell us that murder is a sin. I think it is safe to say that no where in the Bible is a person condemned for eating meat unless you ask a Christian vegan. We cannot judge human history objectively, but God has provided us a way with discerning human actions in history as right or wrong, whether their actions give us life or death, and that Way is Jesus.
Agreed.
Sadly, any attempt even to mention the negative side of Columbus tends to result in cries of “revisionism” and such.
My response to that, traditionally, has been to point out that when you make a mistake, revision is called for.
That is actually a good response. Thanks for stopping by, Wickle.
really? “ANY [emphasis mine] attempt to mention the negative side of Columbus tends to result in crises of ‘revisionism?’”
i just haven’t noticed too many americans caring very much about columbus’s reputation. i also think historical accounts of conquistadors (sp?), colonists, and euro-world venturers like columbus need to be more honest and less romantic, but c’mon – it destroys a bit of credibility to claim “ANY” suggestion of this is met with cries of protest. some are, sure, but in all honesty (and unfortunately), i don’t think most people care enough.
just some thoughts
Ummm … okay.
Part of me wants to reword my sentence so as to weasel out any loopholes.
The other part of me just wants to go with “You don’t know many ‘dittoheads,’ do you?”
Lols, wickle.
Great post Rod. A friend and I were just talking about this as he felt convicted for having the day off from work. I appreciate the link to the letter. Thanks Bryan for the follow up as well. The following statement:
“I think the real question is whether we can honor people who haven’t lived perfect lives and have even done some bad things.”
is something I wrestle with a lot, particularly as it relates to helping people, including myself, overcome with the pain of past sin. How do we see ourselves as being capable of doing good works in Christ when we have regrettable pasts? If we can’t honor/love others with complex pasts, how can we receive the love/honor God gives us in Christ?
Rod, have you read Michael Eric Dyson’s book on Martin Luther King, “I May Not Get There With You”? If so, what are your thoughts? You mentioned people slandering King because of his philandering and I wonder how you, and we, might view his life as a model to deal with our own character flaws?
Hey Brandon,
You should not feel bad for having the day off. Just take the time to recognize another holiday like Native American or First Nations Day.
As for Michael Eric Dyson’s book, I have not read it, but here is my approach to King, as a historic figure. When people learn about Dr. King Jr. as a figure, they learn primarily only about his life as it relates to his impact here in the United States, and not really his writings. It is a shame; I feel that the world of academia would benefit from closely examining his texts and engaging them. Like the aforementioned figures mentioned, I do not put Dr. King on a pedastal and I have criticism for many of the claims he made, especially his idea that suffering was necessary and his theology influenced by Protestant liberalism. The best thing I can do for King, and for any historical figure for that matter, examine what he did that was Christ-like, try to understand the truth of his faults, and engage the texts that he wrote. I think really the best compliment I can give Dr. King Jr. is a scathing criticism of his work and try to make necessary corrections.
Rod:
“All that I am saying is that children should learn the good side and the bad side of people’s lives, a fuller account of truth rather than nationalist propaganda. I was under the impression that Columbus was a friend of the Natives because of the books and videos we were shown. That contradicts the facts and Columbus’s own words.”
All I remember about Columbus growing up was that he thought the world was round and he accidentally discovered America. I didn’t get any nationalistic propaganda about Columbus growing up. What kind of school did you go to? : )
I see your point about teaching the good as well as the bad about characters from history but a few things come to mind:
1.) Is it really the school’s place to make ethical judgments about the lives of people in history and pass those along to kids? Isn’t the point of teaching history in school just to tell significant events that got us where we are today? If so, then is it appropriate to delve into the personal lives of these historical figures beyond areas that are relevant to what they are being remembered for to teach kids how they were good and bad people. I can just see it: “Now that we’ve learned that Columbus discovered America lets learn about all his dirty laundry too!” : )
2.) How far do we go in this expose of the lives of historical figures? Do we just detail the particular horrible things like rape and murder (or even approving of those things while maybe not doing them)? Do we talk about their infidelity? Their money problems? The fact that they were bad parents or that they owned slaves? How they liked drugs and booze?
3.) Why stop at just the bad things they did? After all people are defined by more than just those things. If we think the bad things are also relevant why not other personal information about their lives like their childhood, their marriages, their hobbies, political affiliations, religious practices, etc? It’s enough to get kids to remember these people at all and the significant things they did but now were gonna spend extra time on their personal lives, the good, the bad, and everything in between, and ask kids to remember all these other things along with the bare facts we want them to remember?
4.) Whose ethics do we go by? Do we want to depend on the schools to decide what is morally reprehensible and what isn’t?
These questions make me think the better strategy is just to stick to teaching the bare facts about these historical figures in schools and point them to other resources if they’re interested in learning more about any of these people.
I’ve already written a lot so I’ll leave it at that instead of trying to comment on everything you said : )
Bryan L
Wow, Bryan, again, you bring up some good questions.
your first question:
“1.) Is it really the school’s place to make ethical judgments about the lives of people in history and pass those along to kids? Isn’t the point of teaching history in school just to tell significant events that got us where we are today? If so, then is it appropriate to delve into the personal lives of these historical figures beyond areas that are relevant to what they are being remembered for to teach kids how they were good and bad people. I can just see it: “Now that we’ve learned that Columbus discovered America lets learn about all his dirty laundry too!” : )”
I think one presupposition I would like to assume when studying history is that our examination of history never comes in a vacuum. In fact, our interpretation of history is itself a moral judgment, and that requires the practice of ethics. For example, in the state of Texas, there is a board of education that decides which historical figures to recognize in textbooks and which not to. The problem is the textbook industry and government assuming that education is a propaganda tool to indoctrinate children. That is why kids grow up and become jaded when they learn of negative facts. A solution to this problem may be, oh, get the government out as much as possible. Yes, and allow the parents and the professors work out how and whom to teach in history courses. I would say that there founders , who though flawed, believed that public education could foster civility and I guess what we call ethics. Now, I think there are those who believe we can be ethical people without learning about God, and I would disagree. I think what needs to happen is that public schools need to make space for all ideologies and religions. Christians, Jews, and Muslims pay taxes. They are citizens. Maybe the problem is the textbooks themselves and schools should go back to teaching the original languages of historical texts as well as philosophy and get rid of standardized testing. Those are just a few ideas.
your second question:
“2.) How far do we go in this expose of the lives of historical figures? Do we just detail the particular horrible things like rape and murder (or even approving of those things while maybe not doing them)? Do we talk about their infidelity? Their money problems? The fact that they were bad parents or that they owned slaves? How they liked drugs and booze?”
I think that there are some facts that can be told in an age appropriate manner. Really, I mean, that is some people’s issue with sex education, that how far is too far, right? Again, it should be up to the discernment of the parents and teachers working together.
your third question:
“3.) Why stop at just the bad things they did? After all people are defined by more than just those things. If we think the bad things are also relevant why not other personal information about their lives like their childhood, their marriages, their hobbies, political affiliations, religious practices, etc? It’s enough to get kids to remember these people at all and the significant things they did but now were gonna spend extra time on their personal lives, the good, the bad, and everything in between, and ask kids to remember all these other things along with the bare facts we want them to remember?”
Again, the decision should be left up to the parents and teachers, not the government and textbook corporations. Also, maybe it might be a good idea for kids to learn the politics and religion of Columbus’s time; that way, they would be more away of historical context.
Your fourth question:
“4.) Whose ethics do we go by? Do we want to depend on the schools to decide what is morally reprehensible and what isn’t?”
Check my answer to your first three questions.
Truth and Peace,
Rod
i didn’t know reagan instituted such a holiday; good to know!
I know. Reagan could do some good things too.
Appreciate the words and comments Rod. I kinda of like how the Bible was put together – we see the Apostles and disciples, warts and all! We are human and we need Christ. True grace means we can take the whole truth, not just the cleaned up version that creates unreal characters and false histories. I find it interesting how often the Anabaptists are picked on because of a few outlandish radicals (and there were) but little is mentioned of those that persecuted and killed them – in the name of God!
Exactly, Andy. Exactly. Could not have said it better myself.
Missed this when it was posted, but I was re-reading through some of your posts, Rod. I must say I find the dynamic you talk about affecting me quite a bit. As an upcoming Presbo, I am inundated with Calvin this, Calvin that. However, I find much of his theology offensive and his actions mirror that. Did he do some amazing things? Yes. Does that justify murder? Nope. Luther? Same thing.
And for those of you wanting to know if people really get mad when you talk about the balance of Columbus’ life, it is true. I spent all of last monday talking (read: arguing) about it with people who were really offended that I would bring up the bad about Columbus. Someone even told me to stop questioning what the schools taught and jsut home school my kid. Hehe. No chance. Revolutionaries (like I am raising my kid to be) belong where they can do the most damage. For Jesus, of course.
That’s what I’m talking about Chad. My experience is not unusual.