Columbus' true face

[airiefairie]

History is written by the winners - this is a well known principle. For example, October 11 was Columbus Day. Ever since the 18th century, Columbus' arrival on American soil in 1492 is being celebrated in the United States, all throughout Central America, the Caribbean, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay etc. But what is actually being celebrated? And if

Comments

[sophia_sadek]

During my childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania only Catholics celebrated Columbus Day. Everyone else was aware of the shamefulness of the man's deeds. Many folks around here in SF observe the alternative Indigenous People's Day.

I had been under the impression that the Spanish had wiped out the Arawaks until I read that Alexander Humboldt encountered Arawaks during his explorations in South America. Americans do not value Humboldt because he was a humanitarian who advocated against slavery and in favor of Native rights. He was also a scientist which was another strike against him in the eyes of American puritans.

BTW, if Irish Catholics knew more about Patrick, they would not consider him a saint. He was an opponent of Irish independence and culture.

[mahnmut]

Yeah but Paddy rid the Emerald Island of all those pesky snakes!

[sophia_sadek]

Those "snakes" were the leaders of the Druids. They were only pesky in the minds of religious bigots.

[mahnmut]

He should'a left them dwaggins, tho'.

[sophia_sadek]

In Druidic culture a dragon represents an invading army which devastates the countryside and leaves people wailing over their dead.

[mahnmut]

Dunno, dwaggins seem pretty adorable to me. Hell, even the Welsh have made one their emblem!

[sophia_sadek]

They say that Puff the Magic Dragon is about something other than a beast. That is as adorable as they get. There is an image of Medusa on the shield of Athena on the California state seal, but we do not see Medusa as a cuddly critter.

BTW, a dragon's bad breath is probably a manifestation of scurvy.

[underlankers]

So what about King Ghidorah-er Slavic Dragons? Or for that matter the Yamato no Orochi?

[sophia_sadek]

There is a Chinese folk story of a threatening dragon that parallels European tradition. I suspect the dragon was a universal symbol for barbarian invaders back in the day.

[underlankers]

You've obviously not read your folklore and mythology. The dragon was not a symbol of barbarism but instead of primordial chaos.

[peristaltor]

But who will fly the dragons when the string falls?!?

[underlankers]

That's not my problem. ;)

[peristaltor]

Pern hates you.

[underlankers]

.

[airiefairie]

[sophia_sadek]

"Primordial chaos" is technical jargon for theft, murder, and destruction.