Posted on 10/11/2010 3:55:41 PM PDT by Libloather
The mixed legacy of 1492
By James Carroll
October 11, 2010
IT IS commonly observed that 1492, in addition to being the year of Christopher Columbus, was also the year of the Jews — their expulsion from Spain by the same Ferdinand and Isabella who sponsored the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. But the overlap of events (actually, Columbus set sail in the very week of the banishment) has historic significance, for it was in Iberia that ancient Christian anti-Judaism had recently morphed into genetic anti-Semitism — the idea that Jews are contemptible not because of their religion, but because of their “blood impurity.’’ This notion of a group’s innate biological inferiority tragically gripped the European imagination just as the encounter with the New World occurred. It was a decisive factor in the creation of modern racism that determined so much of what came in the wake of Christopher Columbus. Contempt for Jews was practice for contempt for aboriginal peoples.
The racist myth of European superiority still shapes the story of the colonial conquest — starting with how the Caribs, Mayans, and Aztecs are remembered as never having had a chance against Spanish steel and gun powder. But it wasn’t technological genius that led to the dominance of the newcomers, nor was it their courageous soldiering, intellectual heritage, or moral superiority — much less the favor of God.
By far, the most decisive factor in the quick establishment of European control was the accident of disease. The immune systems of Western Hemisphere indigenous peoples were overwhelmed by pathogens that accompanied the Europeans, with the result that populations of so-called Amerindians were almost instantly decimated. The population of Mexico, to take one example, fell from 25 million in 1517, when Europeans first came there, to 1.5 million a century later.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
The author, James Carroll, must hate to look himself in the mirror every morning.
The man needs to be forced-sent to the Amazon jungle, to its remotest sections, so he can enjoy the “benevolence” and moral superiority of some of our remaining “native Americans” unblemished by European culture - for the rest of his life. Then, by his own standards, he can RIP.
That is what it takes for a mediocre writer like Carroll to earn a paycheck in the mainstream media these days.
I read recently (some medical journal, don't remember which one) that over 50% of all deaths result from infectious disease.
In this age of antibiotics and vaccines, that number is just staggering.
I would like to see your source for that.
He looks the part, and reminds me of some of those liberal candidates for the US Senate in Delaware. A self-righteous, guilt-ridden white guy.
And don’t forget “Signs”
Thank you Ben!
Boston.com is racist. Who besides Europeans would they ever refer to in this way.
Arguing with a liberal is like taking candy from . . . a tree sloth. But I nevertheless have to point out that the author left out one more large event of 1492: the expulsion of the last Moslems from Spain with the fall of Granada. That's what allowed the monarchs to spend money on sponsoring Columbus.
In the process, the Sloth doesn't mention that the Spanish Jews—who were among my ancestors—were collaborators and high officials in the Moorish government. I can imagine that the Spanish Catholics, after a 700-year war, might have had a bone or two to pick with the pals of their oppressors.
http://www.viewzone.com/crichton33.html
“St Brendan’s Cross” aka the Celtic Cross.
In the basements of Winchester VA’s college are tablets written in Ogham which no one is allowed to see.
They *long* pre-date Columbus.
Harrisburg PA is also in possession of Ogham stones turned up by farmers plowing their fields.
Good luck getting to see them, either.
“America’s Stonehenge” in NH is aligned to Celtic astronomical observances and contains not only ogham but Phoenician writing, as well.
http://www.unmuseum.org/mysthill.htm
[You might also want to research Prince Madoc of Wales]
There will be those who discount the pre-Colombian exploration of North America but they’re usually people who are also into the myth of the “noble, peaceful Indians” cruelly slaughtered by white men.
Then there’s Kennewick man.
Many years ago I watched the “forensic art expert” recreate his face and he definitely pronounced him as without doubt, European.
Under much political/social/cultural pressure, he now denies having ever said that.
[BS...I saw and heard it when back it was not yet “politically incorrect” to utter such blasphemies]
Newer “experts” are now pronouncing him all manner of races, -except- European which I find puzzling since nobody has been allowed to complete a DNA/haplotype type test on him.
http://www.kennewickman.net/main.html
Norse and Celtic artifacts have been dug up from under extremely deep undisturbed layers of soil all over the US.
Did Columbus tote them along and randomly drop them?
Doubtful.
Across the stream from my house is a badly degraded a “cup and ring” stone, commonly found in the UK and other European locations.
Somebody dragged that here, too?
[currently, chipmunks stick acorns in the time-worn “cups” to make opening them easier]
I have a greenstone ceremonial full groove ax that is identical to those found in stone age Europe.
It was found not far from the stone on the ridge beside my house.
“Experts” simply include it in that nebulous “paleo-Indian artifact” category.
Right.
To be blunt, I believe very little that “experts” preach on the ancient history of North America.
The Mayans and Aztecs were awaiting the “return of the red haired gods” which made conquering them very easy.
The Tuatha deDaanan supposedly arrived in ancient Ireland on May day from the east to begin their reign there.
The Mayans/Aztecs may have been awaiting ~their~ return and got “red haired” Spaniards, instead.
[yeah, I’m a history heretic...so burn me]...LOL
I’m sure a flame war will ensue now but that’s my opinion.
I do not accept the current “history” of the Americas nor will I ever so flaming me is rather pointless....:)
Unless we can develop better medicines thats where the new plagues are going to come from.
I agree, to a point.
I would never suggest that parents withhold vaccinations for highly lethal diseases from their kids (like diphtheria, with ~30% fatality rate), I question the wisdom of vaccinating against relatively benign diseases like chicken pox (6.7 fatalities per 100,000 cases in otherwise healthy individuals). The immune system does need to be challenged to become stronger.
I’ve heard we taste just like pork.
[people: the other *other* white meat]
I suspect the “source” is just hatred.
Water thrown on them makes hippies scream, too.
:)
LOL!
Why has no other plague in RECORDED history been this lethal? Perhaps because the people making up these numbers are biased and can make up whatever numbers they want to prove their point?
WHEN the Americas were discovered all of Europe was going to find out and the Europeans were going to establish colonies for commercial purposes. And when large groups of Europeans came, they were going to bring diseases that would overwhelm the immune systems of the natives.
This was GOING TO HAPPEN whether it was the Spanish, English, Italians, Dutch, Portuguese or some other group. It might be PC to blame Columbus, but the truth is that the Europeans had NO WAY of knowing this would happen or preventing the spread of disease once it took hold.
Obvious history is my source. Cowabunga!
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