The Dilemma of Christopher Columbus


We are in one of those corrective moments in time that we seem to need to rebalance our culture and fully understand our history. Black Lives Matter is part of this. Acknowledging how much the awful institution of slavery has contributed to our lives today is part of this. Viewing the European colonization of the Americas and westward expansion through the eyes of the native peoples is part of this. In this moment, we are collectively reviewing the types of public monuments that we have.


Pictured in this post are photos of a statue of Christopher Columbus that stood for almost 118 years in Uplands/Laura Bradley Park.


Stood instead of stands as the statue came down a couple of weeks ago based on a vote by the Peoria Park District, a casualty to this moment in time. 


It was a beautiful statue. But for many, what Columbus represents isn't beautiful.


After the vote, it didn't take long for the statue to be taken down.


I think it is a good thing to always be learning more about our history. Broadening our history to include all people is important for a full understanding. 


The Christopher Columbus statue wasn't discarded but is being stored.


We don't want to erase Christopher Columbus from history, but do want to have a fuller understanding of what he did. As time goes on, it will be interesting to see how our conception and honoring of our history will change.

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