We will eventually have to redefine where Columbus stands in history, and where we stand in relation to him and to our own history. Completely rejecting even the darkest moments of our history is certainly not a solution. Columbus is and will remain a central moment of Western history, the consequences of which we still live in. Plain rejection is rather the sign of our self-consciousness towrad our own history, and it is not an option. Western history is so tormented with such acts that it may be difficult to forget this, yet it is part of our own selves, and this cannot be ignored–it still hangs over us. The past is an integral part of our identity, but we are not chained by it either. Columbus’ discovery has had tremendous consequences, both good and bad. Placing ourselves in front of History, we will be able, let us hope, to understand what our greatest failure was–the loss of our faith–and to fully assume our history.
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