Editor,
Amidst a crowd of students, parents and young children going for a stroll to the Duck Pond after lunch, including our guests from across the globe who have come to enjoy the Balloon Fiesta, I found myself crossing Central Avenue, proud to be a student and a part of this wonderful community at UNM.
As we continued up the stairs past the newly-constructed architecture building and across the small walkway, I couldn't help but smile as the Balloon Fiesta crowd admired the beautiful autumn weather. Just as I was beginning to feel grateful that I have the opportunity to count myself among this wonderful community, I quickly glanced at a stencil design spray-painted on the ground and did a double take. My moment of elation and pride had come to an abrupt end and embarrassment set in. I placed my bag over the sign and knelt to tie my shoe, waiting until the children and our guests passed to get away from the sign so that I could avoid any association with it.
But the damage had been done. "Fuck Columbus, know your history," it read. These words were burnt into my mind, just as they will be for anyone else who reads them. Callous, empty statements that chip away at the pride and integrity of our school and our community - that is all they are. Whoever made the sign probably felt that he or she was bringing up an important issue, a Raskolnikov positive that his or her endeavors are proper and righteous, never pausing to consider the impact of his or her actions, or more prudent alternatives that will build and strengthen our community.
Don't misunderstand me. I despise the glorification of Columbus in our elementary school curriculum. He did not discover the Americas, if that is what you were getting at. What he did do was open up the Americas for European expansion. Yes, it was a very bad day for the indigenous cultures. Yes, they were slaughtered for the benefit of European countries due to greed and religious fervor. Yes, something should be done about how it is taught in school. But there is no reason to spray-paint your slogans on our beautiful campus. If you really care about this topic, you could organize a community meeting and petition APS or our local government to change their curriculum. You can set up a booth in Smith Plaza and have passersby sign a petition to change elementary school curriculum.
That would have been effective. But instead, you acted irrationally, and now the UNM community as a whole is forced to endure the repercussions of your moment of ignorance.
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To our guests who visit UNM and see these relics of ineptitude, I would like to apologize on behalf of the UNM community and ask that you do not judge us by the actions of a few. To those who blemished our campus with their insensitivity and foolishness, be proactive in your community to encourage and achieve change through positive interaction. Though you have a right to say whatever you wish, don't let your stupidity reflect negatively upon the University.
Nick Vottero
UNM student
