The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Nothing is black and white; there are always areas of grey. Columbus’ statue is no exception.

Columbus was a courageous Italian explorer who changed the course of history. On the flip side, he was a terrible man who enslaved many West Indian natives and subjected them to extreme violence and brutality.

His statue in front of Government House was a gift from slaves to Governor Sir James Carmichael Smyth, according to Bahamian historian Dr. Keith Tinker.

Symth was governor here during Pompey’s 1830 rebellion. An abolitionist governor, he left the colony in 1833, scornful of the local white elite and oligarchy.

According to Dr Tinker, various people of colour collected a considerable amount of funds used to sculpt the statue (re: Bahamas Handbook). The gesture was in appreciation of the governor’s pro-emancipation views and his efforts to improve the general treatment of slaves.

Besides being a priceless work of art, the statue represents an important part of our history, including the role the slaves played in its creation.

The statue should remain.

Rather than trying to sanitise history, add an informational stand at the base of the statue that tells the full Columbus story. Place a statue of Pompey in a prominent spot with an informational telling of his great role in history.

Create a new group of statues to highlight the evolving story of the Bahamas.

Our country is a rich tapestry, woven together by a diverse group of people from various backgrounds and their offspring and each one has a story to tell.

On another note, while the past is very important, what of events that are happening today? Where is the public outrage over the tragic death of Lorencia Simmons Walkes, the beautiful 10-year-old who was shot and died 10 days ago?

BAHAMIAN PATRIOT

Nassau,

June11, 2020.