The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune,

I have never read so much rubbish out of the mouth of a clergyman as I read in Thursday’s Tribune giving reasons why Christopher Columbus’ statue should be removed from in front of Government House.

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. He ventured into the unknown completing four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. This opened the New World to future adventurers and permanent European conquest of the Americas. In 1492 he was the first European to set foot on Bahamian soil, and, as they say – the rest is history.

No matter how one skins this cat in the history books, it was Columbus who bravely conquered the unknown and put these islands on an official map. According to Rev Sebastian Campbell “because Columbus is posing here the way he’s posing, our children, generations unborn, will immediately think of him as some hero, as somebody with some positive work and that is unfortunate…” It is indeed unfortunate, Father Campbell. It means that we will be raising a very stupid generation, if teachers don’t put historical achievers into the context of their achievements. That is the only way that one can keep history in its historical context as the world moves on and grows in knowledge.

Columbus was a very brave seafarer in a world where it was believed that the further one sailed, one would eventually fall off the horizon into God only knows what bottomless pit of doom. Yes, Columbus was a very courageous navigator who put our part of the world on the map and dispelled many superstitious myths. And for that reason he stands in front of Government House and on many other pedestals throughout the Americas where his heroic accomplishment is appreciated – in the context of his times. It is only on his navigational skills that he is and can be judged – and for his day and time he more than excelled.

The first knowledge of our islands was through the eyes of Columbus, thus his earned position at the front of Government House.

One only expects to find saintly figures on church pedestals, earned because of the saintly life that they lived. Columbus on his pedestal represents the life of the explorer, not that of a saint.

Father Campbell then goes on to say that we need to look at our own heroes and nation builders.

He gives his list – Sir Milo Butler, Lynden Pindling, Cecil Wallace Whitfield, Dame Doris Johnson — yes, they all achieved in their narrow sphere, but – like in the case of Columbus – I would not suggest deeper examination. There is not one of them that I would want any of my children to emulate, but if the nation wants a statue – then have their statue for whatever they think their local heroes have achieved — but, take my advice, if you don’t want to be disillusioned, the rest is best left unexplored.

In my book Columbus remains. He has earned his historic position.

NUFF SAID

Nassau,

June 11, 2020