DIVERSITY WATCH : Thorny Rose

On the first day of 1992, the year that marks the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in America, a few million people will gather in Pasadena for the Rose Parade. One grand marshal will be a descendant of Columbus, Cristobal Colon--and the other of the famous American Indian Black Horse, Rep. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado.

It’s a fitting pair chosen by the Tournament of Roses officials after American Indian groups had made known their extreme displeasure over the tournament’s decision to name as grand marshal a descendant of Columbus. That’s because people view the Columbus legend differently these days. To some American Indians and others, Columbus symbolizes an endorsement of imperialism and genocide; to many others, Columbus symbolized heroic adventure, opportunity, new beginnings.

A fair reading of history suggests the navigator is a symbol of both extremes. The problem with symbols is that they don’t allow for subtlety, for shades of gray. So if Colon could represent only one side--that of explorer whose journeys begat for early European settlers a new way of life--then someone had to represent the other side--that of American Indians and all others who had a new way of life thrust upon them.

Enter Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the only American Indian in Congress and great-grandson of a man who fought Custer at Little Big Horn. Alongside Colon, in a parade open car, will ride Campbell, on horseback. The symbols are powerful--the issue serious. Tournament officials came to a wise and sensible compromise.