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I don't really care about the actual issue, but the objections raised to Columbus Day are absurd to me. Why is euro-centrism bad? I am not of European descent,

by jsnk 14y ago

I don't really care about the actual issue, but the objections raised to Columbus Day are absurd to me. Why is euro-centrism bad? I am not of European descent, but historically speaking, contributions made by Europeans are undeniably tremendous. I don't think there's anything controversial about acknowledging that Europeans had a pretty remarkable run in recent centuries. Does euro-centrism have a bad name because of colonialism?

waterlesscloud 14y ago
I'm normally pretty skeptical of anti-european sentiments, but in this case I'd be fine with changing the name of the holiday. Whatever your viewpoint, the exploration of America was pretty complicated and complex, and even just the story of discovery alone is more than Columbus. So open it up, celebrate all the explorers involved. If you've got a story to tell about the first people across the land bridge and down into the continent, let's add that too. I'd be fine with celebrating the entire story of the exploration of the continent.
deleted 14y ago
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cglee 14y ago
Anything-centrism is "bad" in that it clouds one's ability to be objective. It also impedes empathy. It's sort of tied to identity. If you do not cling to a specific identity, then it frees you to empathize with a wide range of people. If you say "I am white/asian/tall/rich", then it forms an in-group vs out-group mentality, and obstructs empathy. For example, does it strike you odd that any land should be deemed "discovered" when there are already inhabiting humans there?
KaoruAoiShiho 14y ago
Anything-centrism is a cognitive bias, it reduces complex issues to simple ones designed to suit your world view. It's a pretty nasty ignorance promoting concept.
agpen 14y ago
Whitewashing and cheerleading a legacy of genocide, rape, enslavement, and the theft of land and resources is "bad", yes. Further, establishing the history of the conquerors as the dominant narrative is a time honored tradition for stamping out native history, language, culture, and values. e.g. In the US there is no "white history month" because EVERY month is white history month, white history is simply called "history" and is treated as a norm with only token attention paid to what lies outside it. This establishes an unconscious acceptance of white superiority and historical priority in both white and students of color and is a cornerstone of systemic white privilege.

by jsnk 14y ago

waterlesscloud 14y ago

I'm normally pretty skeptical of anti-european sentiments, but in this case I'd be fine with changing the name of the holiday. Whatever your viewpoint, the exploration of America was pretty complicated and complex, and even just the story of discovery alone is more than Columbus. So open it up, celebrate all the explorers involved. If you've got a story to tell about the first people across the land bridge and down into the continent, let's add that too. I'd be fine with celebrating the entire story of the exploration of the continent.

deleted 14y ago

[deleted]

cglee 14y ago

Anything-centrism is "bad" in that it clouds one's ability to be objective. It also impedes empathy. It's sort of tied to identity. If you do not cling to a specific identity, then it frees you to empathize with a wide range of people. If you say "I am white/asian/tall/rich", then it forms an in-group vs out-group mentality, and obstructs empathy. For example, does it strike you odd that any land should be deemed "discovered" when there are already inhabiting humans there?

KaoruAoiShiho 14y ago

Anything-centrism is a cognitive bias, it reduces complex issues to simple ones designed to suit your world view. It's a pretty nasty ignorance promoting concept.

agpen 14y ago

Whitewashing and cheerleading a legacy of genocide, rape, enslavement, and the theft of land and resources is "bad", yes. Further, establishing the history of the conquerors as the dominant narrative is a time honored tradition for stamping out native history, language, culture, and values. e.g. In the US there is no "white history month" because EVERY month is white history month, white history is simply called "history" and is treated as a norm with only token attention paid to what lies outside it. This establishes an unconscious acceptance of white superiority and historical priority in both white and students of color and is a cornerstone of systemic white privilege.