Colorado prof attacks Columbus

Manning Marable, a professor of political science and history at the University of Colorado used Columbus' own words to attack the man he considers the pioneer of racism. "The indigenous people are firmly persuaded that we have come from Heaven," Marable said last week, quoting Columbus. Addressing an audience of over 100 students, faculty and area residents, Marable tried to break down the "myths" of discovery, civilization and race. He said the celebration of Columbus' discovery was "for people of color tantamount to a mountain of lies which undermines their humanity." He offered evidence to dispute Columbus' alleged discovery of the New World. Marable said Columbus' chief pilot knew that the Pope had records confirming western lands before Columbus set sail. Marable disputed the so-called "civilization" Columbus brought by presenting moving descriptions of violence. "Was massive sexual exploitation a requirement of civilization?" he asked rhetorically. Marable noted that there were approximately 25 million inhabitants in Mexico before the Europeans arrived. After the pilgrims arrived in the 17th century this number had been reduced to one million. He added that the treatment of natives was especially brutal in Central America. Marable spent the remainder of his speech discussing racial issues and the myths surrounding slavery. African people were treated better at first than later, Marable said. He noted that on Columbus' journey, one of the "conquistadors" was black. Approximately 30 Africans accompanied explorer Balboa on his expeditions. He said it was the greed for gold and land which led Europeans to oppress Africans. Unlike Europeans, he said, Africans had not ventured to the New World for religious freedom, to find gold, or to run from their creditors. "The very attraction of power led Europeans to deny the humanity of the African people," Marable said. Marable spent the end of the speech discussing current social issues, including the civil rights movement. Marable criticized former President Ronald Reagan as the "fountainhead of the so-called neo-racism." Marable also said that President Bush "continues to benefit from the backlash of the civil rights movement of the 1960s." Audience members said Marable's speech and subsequent question-and-answer period was informative. "He was great," said College junior Jette Findsen. "I was moved by how he was very personal. I identified with him." The presentation was presented by the Greenfield Intercultural Center. It was co-sponsored by the Black Student League, the History Department and the School of Arts and Sciences.