El Día de la Raza
In many Latin American countries October 12th is known as El Día de la Raza, roughly translated as “The Day of The Race”. It is intended to “celebrate” the first encounters between Europeans and Native Americans. I think we all know how that worked out.
Many of you know that Mrs. Bitter and I spent a few days in Santa Fe last month. What many of you may not know is that our relationship is actually a much more successful encounter between two people of European and Native American ancestry. One result of this unique juxtaposition is that I have become very sensitive to the plight of Indigenous people in this and other countries. Not that I can ever undo over five centuries of Conquistador Kharma, but I can cast off my own ignorance and work toward some semblance of understanding.
A case in point: why on Earth would anyone want to commemorate the annihilation of a population, or the marginalization of a culture? Why not honor The Race that was here for centuries before Columbus darkened its shores? Click here to sign a petition to create a National Holiday for Native Americans.
Carpe Diem.
In many Latin American countries October 12th is known as El Día de la Raza, roughly translated as “The Day of The Race”. It is intended to “celebrate” the first encounters between Europeans and Native Americans. I think we all know how that worked out.
Many of you know that Mrs. Bitter and I spent a few days in Santa Fe last month. What many of you may not know is that our relationship is actually a much more successful encounter between two people of European and Native American ancestry. One result of this unique juxtaposition is that I have become very sensitive to the plight of Indigenous people in this and other countries. Not that I can ever undo over five centuries of Conquistador Kharma, but I can cast off my own ignorance and work toward some semblance of understanding.
A case in point: why on Earth would anyone want to commemorate the annihilation of a population, or the marginalization of a culture? Why not honor The Race that was here for centuries before Columbus darkened its shores? Click here to sign a petition to create a National Holiday for Native Americans.
Carpe Diem.
Many of you know that Mrs. Bitter and I spent a few days in Santa Fe last month. What many of you may not know is that our relationship is actually a much more successful encounter between two people of European and Native American ancestry. One result of this unique juxtaposition is that I have become very sensitive to the plight of Indigenous people in this and other countries. Not that I can ever undo over five centuries of Conquistador Kharma, but I can cast off my own ignorance and work toward some semblance of understanding.
A case in point: why on Earth would anyone want to commemorate the annihilation of a population, or the marginalization of a culture? Why not honor The Race that was here for centuries before Columbus darkened its shores? Click here to sign a petition to create a National Holiday for Native Americans.
Carpe Diem.
posted by extraspecialbitter at 11:32 AM
4 Comments:
It was interesting to read up on the history of Columbus Day and how much controversy surrounded its celebration as a holiday. I didn't realize, for example, that the day wasn't recognized as a U.S. Holiday until 1937, and that several states have chosen to buck the trend. South Dakota celebrates "Native American Day" in its place, and Minnesota doesn't observe the holiday at all, believing that the Vikings pre-dated Columbus' "discovery" of North America by some five centuries.
In a sense it's all moot: the Stock Market is open on Columbus Day, meaning that I have to work regardless of how I feel about it. I guess they showed me...
I knew a guy in the army who was from South Dakota. His father was of Scandinavian descent, his mother was 100% Lakota. Interesting guy, opened my eyes to the situation involving Native Americans and how they are still treated. He was not complaining, just talking about home like you do. I will sign the petition, it's the least we can do.
As a descendent of Vikings my own self, I am proud of the fact that did land here centuries before Columbus. They were looking for hard wood and something to eat, maybe a good party. I know they liked to fight, but I would like to think that they would have respected the Native Americans. Maybe I'm kidding myself. I just don't think the Vikings were about genocide. I think they were more about armed robbery.
And who can forget those carefree Vikings singing "The Spam Song" on Monty Python's Flying Circus?
Seriously - thanks for your comments and for signing the petition.
Yes, SPAM. An ancient Viking tradition. Man, I love Monty Python. When I was a kid I wanted to be a lumberjack, except for the "women's clothing" part... Lets not go there okay? Why don't we pretend this never happened, stick with the SPAM song... That would be best.
Post a Comment
<< Home