SPOKESMAN OR NOT?

Fuentes’ conclusion that “Mexico embraced the Christian notion of sacrifice, ending . . . the state terrorism of Aztec rule” is clearly erroneous. Aztec monarch Montezuma, who died around 1520, correctly foretold the arrival of the Europeans as the end of Indian civilization in Mexico, thus as the end of the world as they knew it. At no point during the initial years of the conquest did the native peoples hasten to embrace Christianity or other European customs since they were virtually enslaved by the conquerors. Even those allied with Cortes lived to regret such strategy.

Fuentes’ cavalier and callous explanation of Mexico’s involuntary, bloody and agonizing “invitation” into the European fold reveals him as a spokesman for the Establishment.

E. BRADFORD EPENDO

Los Angeles