Students take critical look at Columbus

Was Christopher Columbus a ruthless conquistador who initiated the European colonization and exploitation of Native Americans, or a heroic explorer who discovered America as you learned in elementary school?

That topic appears open to debate here at Boston College, but at least 16 students have chosen a side by gathering outside Corcoran Commons on Monday evening (Columbus Day) to hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance of indigenous people that suffered under colonization.

After each candle was lit, a poem or story was read, and all in unison students affirmed, "Let us remember those who came before us."

"It seems that the history of people being oppressed is never spoken of," said Christian Cho, A&S '07, after the vigil. "The fact that people don't want to accept the darker side of U.S. history just - I don't know - speaks to the fact that people like being ignorant."

The vigil lasted for about 30 minutes as passersby seemed to stare perplexed at the prayerful circle.

Rather than an attention-grabbing protest, the event was planned more as a time for reflection on past wrongs inflicted upon indigenous people and ways to improve toleration in the future.

Several argued that the fact that BC calls the holiday weekend in early October "Columbus Day," implicitly recognizes Columbus and colonization as a positive event.

There is some pressure for BC to follow in the footsteps of the San Francisco Bay Area that instead refers to the holiday as "Indigenous People's Day."

Yet, some feel that "Columbus Day" is just a way to commemorate the discovery and creation of America and not any of Columbus' individual actions or his treatment of indigenous people.

The history of Columbus as taught in elementary and middle schools, especially before recent changes, was restricted to the basic tale of courage and triumph.

History places great significance on his original voyage of 1492 (although he did not reach the mainland until 1498) and forgets the implementation of slavery and exploitation of the Native Americans that followed.

Nevertheless, Columbus' voyage came at a crucial time of increasing nationalistic imperialism and economic competition ongoing the growing European nations.

After his voyage, a period of inevitable intense exploration and colonization followed. Mark Gelfand, associate professor of American history, said that regardless of the bad effects of Columbus' voyage, "the Columbian period is the basis for the civilization that we have here."

Furthermore, Europeans are inculpable for the spread of disease because discoveries in microbiology occurred after Columbus' days.

Neither Europeans nor Indians of the 16th century had knowledge of the science behind disease. Although Europeans knew that contact could spread a contagion, they did not use disease as a weapon.

Love him or hate him, Columbus serves as the symbol for American discovery; but a few BC students are working hard to ensure that the story of the indigenous people affected by Columbus and subsequent colonization is not forgotten.

Their noble work is focused on education and awareness so that genocidal exploitation will not be repeated in the future.

To continue spreading awareness on campus about past and present suffering of indigenous peoples, the Society of Native American Peoples (SNAP) will be hosting an event with Russell Means, Native American activist and author, and a Native American movie night in the coming weeks.

A few members, however, are discouraged by the lack of participation and interest of BC students.

"I always have hope that students care," said Cho. "But every time I go to an event like this I always see the same faces. I'm disappointed in the student body."