It’s All History, So Give Columbus Credit

Historical events are rarely one-sided. Much of the Columbus history is complicated and controversial. It follows that the forthcoming quincentenary commemoration should be fraught with conflict as well.

Few people familiar with the Columbus story would deny the dark and shameful side to the settling of the New World, which involved both the devastation of the Indians and the opening of the way to slave trade world-wide. . . . But the quincentenary can hardly be dismissed; (it is) commemoration of an event that changed the world.

Unfortunately, a good deal of the planned commemorative projects in political arenas will border on Hollywood hoopla, such as maritime festivals and sailing regattas.

What might better serve the period of the 500th anniversary is to view it as an opportunity that is knocking at our schoolroom doors. Those of us involved in education or with commemorative commissions should seize the time to bring the Columbus history and geography to our children, many of whom are lagging in knowledge in the areas of history and geography and who are showing little interest in finding their place or their neighbors’ places on Earth.

All of us, in fact, can come to a rediscovery of America and its birth. The possibilities for us to do some exploring of our own are endless.

NANCY SMILER LEVINSON

Beverly Hills