Oral Exchange

'BYE, COLUMBUS

"We have serious reservationsabout the forthcoming commemoration of the quintcentennial of Christopher Columbus'slanding in the Western Hemisphere. We find no cause forjubilation in recognizing thegenesis of five hundred yearsof genocide, dehumanization,racism, and false assurancestriggered by insatiable greed."

Open letter to theDartmouth community by the members of theAfro-American Society

"We salute those who havealready taken the initiative toexpress their feelings aboutColumbus. It is a mistake tocallously disregard the vulgardecimation of a race of peoplethat followed Columhus to theAmericas, At the same time, weurge them to recognize thatAmericans began to saluteColumbus as a hero becausethey attributed to him worth-while human qualities. ThereIs room enough at a place ofhigher learning to appreciateboth the classic and the revisionist interpretations of history. Students can gain the mostby reflecting on both views."

The Dartmouth, in aColumbus Day editorial