Keep the Columbus Monument

A response to the CCAC;                                                   July 28, 2021

This is an open response to the Mayor’s Columbus Circle Action Committee Report, a document that concludes that the Christopher Columbus Monument in Syracuse needs to be modified and/or removed from Columbus Circle to satisfy claims levied against him five Centuries ago.  

This report is a tendentious assembly of tortured rationalizations with one factual statement: 

“What is often at play during divisive conversations about Columbus are intense disagreements over facts.” 

The report however is thick with exaggerated rhetoric and hyperbole:

 “The Committee spent considerable time hearing first-person accounts [emphasis: mine] of the pain associated with Columbus”; (a man who died in 1506, really?)   

The premise is Christopher Columbus, a Genoa born explorer whose voyages in search of a water route to the Far East is personally to blame for everything that followed his “discovery” of the Americas in 1492.  Further, that transgression assigned only to him, requires a 21^st century “re-imagination” of our public square. 

Their Report opens with a conclusion that is not supported by findings anywhere within its 15 pages; it is an unsubstantiated construct supporting a predetermined political outcome: 

“The legacy of Christopher Columbus has connections to the histories of many different peoples in Central New York. The monument at Columbus Circle has become a lightning rod for present-day movements for justice and an end to oppression for Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, [emphasis, mine] while also serving as a point of pride for many Italian-Americans whose families first settled here in the late 1800s.”

Designating the Christopher Columbus monument “a lightning rod for present day movements…” is a clear acknowledgement that this is a political cudgel, fabricated to scapegoat Columbus over their dissatisfaction with America writ large. 

Should Syracuse change or remove the Columbus Monument from Columbus Circle? It is hard to imagine reaching that conclusion when the CCAC’s document confirms their own failure to reach consensus:

 “In the time that we were given to accomplish this task we, as a group, were not able to untangle the competing opinions and interpretations of facts.”

It is beyond comprehension that the CCAC could acknowledge their inability to “untangle…the facts” yet continue toward a series of recommendations that would change this Monument in any way including its complete removalfrom the Circle – except when viewed as a pure political act.

The CCAC attributes all negative impacts from the European Colonization of America at Christopher Columbus’ feet;

“Whether these actions were intended or not, Columbus’ arrival opened the door to European colonization which led to devastating impacts for Native, Black and Brown People, and all people of color across the Americas.” 

Remarkable assertion considering Columbus never set foot in North America at any time on any of his four voyages to the Caribbean.  Some global context is needed for Columbus’ voyages to the “New World”.  He was not alone.  Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Núñez de Balboa, Ferdinand Magellan, Juan Sebastián Elcano, and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés (more on de Aviles later) among others are credited for “The Age of Discovery”. 

The simple point is that Christopher Columbus was one of many European explorers who ventured out in search of other worlds at the close of the 16^th Century.  European traders explored new lands to open new markets and the results of these “discoveries” have been profound.  The European influence in the evolution of North, Central and South America was significant but to suggest that these men have done some unforgivable wrong by their voyages is simply nonsense.  The unique and diverse cultures that have evolved in the Americas since the “Age of Discovery” can only be looked at pejoratively by people who seek to deconstruct the American experiment and reshape it to fit their own current political goals.

If the sins of European settlements in America are all attributable to Christopher Columbus, then the corollary must also be true.  That he must be credited for the Polio vaccine, the electric light bulb, air conditioning, motorized flight, the moon landing, digital computers, telephones, skyscraper; passenger escalators and elevators, power tools, vulcanized rubber, and the Covid-19 vaccine – for starters.  It too is equally absurd.  Christopher Columbus cannot be credited for any of these things – nor should he be blamed for the imperfections that followed in the forming of a “more perfect Union” in 1776.

Amazingly, the CDC acknowledges “[Italian immigrants] were persecuted and were treated with suspicion and derision due to their darker skin color, accents, and form of worship. In 1891, a mass lynching of 11 Italians accused of killing New Orleans’ mayor occurred, seven of whom had already been acquitted.”  If you read that quote soberly, you can see why they were so motivated to build a monument (with their own funds) in response to this atrocity.  It took them decades to raise the money.

The Christopher Columbus Monument was never intended to be anything more than a celebration of Italian immigrants standing up to a society that wasn’t ready to fully accept them at the America table.  It stood as a symbol of their determination and pursuit of the American Dream and it now stands as a symbol of achievement and confirmation that American Exceptionalism is what made this the greatest Country on earth.  The current meme “Embrace Diversity – replace Columbus” confirms that retribution drives this politically motivated action – that to celebrate our different cultures’ we must erase the Italian one; to what gain?  

The United States of America has the most diverse population, most opportunity, most freedom and the most prosperity for its citizens; that would not have happened but for the “explorers” like, but not exclusively Christopher Columbus.  What is confusing is if America is such an awfully irredeemable racist place, why have millions of non-European (read: POC) migrants surge across our southern border seeking an opportunity for a better life in America?  What do they know about America that the CCAC doesn’t? 

Kevin Kane

This letter to Ben Walsh was shared with us, to share with all of you

Dear Mayor Ben Walsh,

Thank you for bringing the debate on whether or not to keep or destroy the Columbus monument into the public eye. Yes, we learn in school that Christopher Columbus was an explorer who discovered the Americas and have memorized the catchy rhyme, “in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue,” but for most of us with a traditional education that is where our education ends. I have to admit that while I believe I received a good education and continued to read on a variety of topics, at first I honestly had no idea why anyone would want to have Columbus statue torn down. Through digging deeper into this debate I have learned that Columbus unfortunately helped support the slave trade both directly and indirectly. His explorations were the first step in bringing down a nation of native peoples and all the while presenting them to the world as lesser humans, even savages. Although new to me neither of these discoveries surprised me as Christopher Columbus’s actions were just the first of countless examples of similar wrongs that occurred over the next few hundred years. As we know, many would rightly point out that examples of these wrongs still exist today. We continue to try to evolve into a people and culture that no longer accepts these behaviors as the norm. What surprised me however, was that Italian American citizens were marginalized in society in general and that here in Syracuse, they helped erect the Columbus monument as a symbol of Italian accomplishment. I truly did not know that they celebrated it then and now with respect and pride.

I am almost ashamed to admit how much I have learned reading the opinions and ideas surrounding this debate. For that knowledge, again, I thank you. I do believe it is our duty as citizens, as lawmakers, and as a race to evolve towards equality, inclusion, and fairness. Some of the cultural human norms of yesterday are now clearly to most, inhuman. The opinions in 1492, may not match the opinions of the Italian Americans of 1934, which may not match the opinions of the native peoples and people of color today.

I personally see and support all these opinions and there are logical and moral arguments to be made by all sides. For instance, one could debate that through innovation and bravery, Christopher Columbus’s discoveries led to settling land where democracy and inclusion ruled, entrepreneurship was the engine of growth, and freedom to express your opinion was the platform for public debate. Some would remind us that Columbus stepped from the safety of land and into a man made small wooden boat, pointed it toward the horizon, and bravely stood by his belief that the earth was round as many warned him that he would sail off the edge of the earth. His discoveries eventually lead to a safe haven where Protestants and Catholics could seek refuge, as they were being set on fire and dragged through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland for instance, simply because of religion. Yes that was the 1600s and arguably long ago.

However, our 90 year old neighbor of Polish descent was saved as she and her family finally landed on US soil after spending two years in a Russian concentration camp during WWII and then the next several years in refugee camps before being allowed into the US on refugee status. My family’s more recent example follows suit. As an immigrant, my mother sheltered in the US with three children and my two cousins as the revolution in Iran broke out in 1978. As a “towel head,” I tolerated the name calling as the alternative of returning to Iran was not an option. With these examples in mind, one might be of the opinion, that despite his many imperfections, Christopher Columbus is one of many perfect symbols, in fact, for our country. Through bravery and innovation, he helped discover a land that prospered and at least set the tone in the revolutionary concepts of freedom and inclusion, even if not perfect at its first attempt. A land that for these reasons, many dream of “setting sail” to, even today. Again, however, this is simply one opinion and not more important or more right than all the rest.

Through this debate, we must tread carefully. Dangerous is the path of placing the importance of opinion over free protected open public debate. This debate is the machinery through which change and cultural evolution occurs as it opens our eyes to truth. When, no matter how gruesome some of the truths of our history is hidden, cultural stagnation surely follows as the engine of evolution is destroyed. We can rewrite the history books to reflect new opinions and information, but is that the only way we can learn? My last history class was in 1999.

Please change your course and instead support the proposition of adding two other monuments to form a triangle. One for the native peoples and another for peoples of color. Their opinions matter, are equally important, and deserve to be included. Let’s Syracuse be a beacon of innovation in how cultural evolution is inspired and fueled in the first place. Is taking down a monument based on the opinion du jour a sign of cultural evolution or is it more a continuation of the status quo as it is simply the same tool we have used since the beginning of recorded history? Show me examples of monuments that have evolved themselves over time as the opinions and information surrounding them have evolved. We should actively seek to add to Columbus’s story, our nation’s story in fact, by adding two other monuments. In doing so, if we are very, very, lucky, there will be even more public debate directly within this triangle so that more of us can learn and evolve as I have this past year. How unfortunate and even dangerous would it be if others missed the opportunity in the future? Do not cancel the Columbus monument, add to it.

Sincerely,Farzad Sarmast – Concerned and newly evolved citizen

“Columbus is a figure with a long-standing cultural connection to New York City…” says candidate Andrew Yang and he adds: “I don’t think we should be getting into huge fights over which day is named after who, or pitting groups against each other. I think we can both keep Columbus Day and celebrate Indigenous People’s Day by honoring them on a separate date. Ultimately, my goal is to unify New Yorkers.”

This is a DIRECT assault on Catholic & Christian values. We are not tearing down mosques because 13 crazy Moslems killed thousands of Americans on 9/11. The dream & promise of a new world is ABSOLUTELY represented by Columbus, in spite of his imperfections

It is the VETERAN not the preacher who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN not the poet who has given us freedom of speech

It is the VETERAN not the campus organizer who has given us freedom to assemble

It is the VETERAN not the lawyer who has given us the right to a fair trial

It is the VETERAN not the politician who has given us the right to vote.

This week, a special salute to our very special VETERANS

The arrogance of this mayor is beyond comprehension, he should focus on his failed crime policies that have jeopardize the safety and lives of City residents. instead of a statue that is hurting no one. An indigenous statue somewhere in the city of Syracuse is totally appropriate, but to tear down Columbus statue failing to understand the true history of his exploration is pure ignorance. Yes the Vikings were here long before Christopher Columbus, Native Americans were here long before Christopher Columbus but that does diminish the significance of his journey. There is clear evidence that alleged atrocities came long after Christopher Columbus by the Spaniards who funded his journey. As for the issue of slavery, no one can claim purity and innocence, neither of those who owned slaves or those natives tribes who sold individuals into slavery. The real travesty of this issue is the Mayor making a unilateral decision without the input of the entire community that includes City residents and County residents!

Not just Italian Americans, but any Americans proud of their ethnic heritage, the hard work and sacrifices and suffering that their people went through to get here and help to build this country. Anybody proud to be an American and what this country has become. No nation is perfect, but there’s no nation more freer that has done more good for the world than United States of America. Those of us who feel this way have to stand together and stop these organized, anti-Americans who want to tear down and erase our history and rebuild it into some bizarre object whose past is sterile and future has no grounding in reality.