I was taking the time to think and reflect upon the current events that stemmed from the Floyd killing – the worldwide protests. Some have been called as peaceful, but where we have also seen the violence – and the use of his death to create a movement for violent actions, that have further induced hate. It is troubling to hear of news media stories, which have unsettled a nation, and even a world. But the question now becomes, is it ok for excuses of violent actions and vandalism? We can take the examples of toppling of historical statues / monuments. If we like / dislike a formation of history is one question, but the other is that: What does erasing history achieve? Or is violence and vandalism an easy way for individuals to get what they want, and have their voices heard?
What does erasing history achieve? Or is violence and vandalism an easy way for individuals to get what they want, and have their voices heard? #ShaziaBlog #Quote
Tweet
For instance: Christopher Columbus was the famed explorer, who was funded by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. His expeditions were documented as the first contact between Europe and the Americas. There are of course many narratives of colonization that are associated with Columbus. But we have to remember that Colonization took part on a worldwide level. If advocacy groups are going to pin-point a specific individual, then what about the empires, such as the British; who formed its largest empire through Colonization?
The histories are harsh. But what to dismantle, simply erase and wipe out stories, that still need to be told, what does that achieve? We have to understand that there are many angles and sides to a story. There are the harsh cruelties / bitterness that exist. There are also many benefits that locals / societies reaped from the act of Colonization. Having said this we may wonder, where would we be today if Columbus did not discover American Lands? What would the world look like at present day? Where Christopher Columbus statues and monuments are vandalized and hated, he is also a celebrated figure, because it is how America came to know Italy, Spain, Europe and vice-versa.
“To start from the beginning, we must, of course, go back to Columbus. Spain and Italy must jointly share in our debt to him for making American Art possible by making America Known to Spain.”
(Hamlin, 1922, p. 255)
Do we hear of the ideas such as the above quote popularized through main-stream media? Hamlin’s article was published in 1922. He goes a step further to call the lack of interest in Spanish America as, “Our national ignorance of Hispanic -American culture” (1922, p. 285). If we take this quote and apply it to present day, we can ask: where do we stand today, as a nation with the relationship of America’s Hispanic Inheritance?
where do we stand today, as a nation with the relationship of America’s Hispanic Inheritance? #ShaziaBlog #Quote
Tweet
As with all population segments I believe that much has been achieved, but there is always room for improvements. This thought can be applied to all population segments. But it’s not just about what is being done or not. The issue has become about how do movements such as Black Lives Matter, National and International protests, silence the voices of those who do not belong to this racial segment? Could this be another form of bullying? And to say or to write this does not mean that one does not care. It is a simple blunt truth.
Social movements possess the ability to suppress other histories and narratives, that are integral to the formation of nations. But can we blame or pin-point social movements? When we can further assume that social movements are needed for the creation of politics and political alliances. Maybe we can or can’t. But really do we need to follow the crowd, to proclaim and justify? In some cases yes, and in some cases no. At the end of the day you are your internal temple. Nations were and are built upon harsh and proud histories, that all deserve to be preserved, learned and embraced.
Nations were and are built upon harsh and proud histories, that all deserve to be preserved, learned and embraced. #ShaziaBlog #Quote
Tweet
Reference:
HAMLIN, A. D. F. “THE AMERICAN DEBT TO SPANISH ART.” The American Magazine of Art, vol. 13, no. 9, 1922, pp. 285–287.
Related Links:
- Christopher Columbus statue in Houston vandalized for second straight night
- Historical figures under attack worldwide after George Floyd’s death
- NRP | Lincoln’s Evolving Thoughts On Slavery, And Freedom
- CNN Live | Black Lives Matter Protests
- Blog Post | George Floyd Protests
- Blog Post | REFLECTION: THE PROTESTS.
- Love And Honor | George Floyd
- Blog Post | REFLECTION II. THE PROTESTS.
- Blog Post | POROUS BORDERS!
Updates: Since these thoughts were written President Trump has signed an executive order to reform Police practices in the USA.
Notes: These thoughts were originally hand written on June 15th 2020.
My thoughts to share with love & Kindness! 🙂
{HEART'S, FOREVER!} 