Research Assignment #2 – Estatua de Colón
Cristobal Colón, known to most as Christopher Columbus, is a fairly controversial figure in Puerto Rico. Since the arrival of the Spaniards in 1493, the island had faced systemic marginalization and exploitation; starting with the colonization that wiped out large portions of the indigenous Taínos. The Spaniards renamed ‘Borikén’ to Puerto Rico, meaning rich port, because of its resources which were stripped from their hands without regard. Once the indigenous population died down, they relied on African slaves for labor, creating a stronger Spaniard economy. This forced them into a slavery based economy and a territory of dictatorship under Spain. Moving forward to the Spanish-American war in 1898, once the U.S. gained control of the island, conditions for Puerto Ricans were no different from before. Though slavery was abolished in 1873, the exploitative conditions the plantation workers were put under were not much different. To this day, the economic and political challenges actively affect the majority of the island. This includes limited self-governance, unequal treatment under U.S. laws, etcetera. The history of colonialism and dependency on a ‘Mother country’ has contributed to consistent issues for Puerto Rico, illustrating a pattern of demise.
The statue of Colón was put there as commemoration of his discovery of Puerto Rico. His influence on the exploration of the New World, enhancing the knowledge we have today cannot be denied, but the manner in which it was done can never be justified. The image of the statue was taken in the light of Colón being a savior, an explorer that led to greater things for Spaniards, a booming economy, etcetera. The reality behind this was that the statue made the people of Puerto Rico (working class) question their identity. Much like the Ecuadorians in the “Popular Liberalism and Indian Servitude” reading by Derek Williams. He writes, “With the elimination of tutelage, Indians would in theory enjoy the same legal identity and capacity as the commonality of Ecuadorans” (Williams 705). [keywords in theory] The sense of not belonging to either generalization is what created the Puerto Rican diaspora. The diaspora emerged as a response to the political instability, economic challenges, and the impact of Spanish colonial rule on the people.
The statue of Colón symbolizes the complex and controversial legacy of Spaniard colonization, serving as a focal point for the island’s ongoing struggles with identity and historical memory. The mixed emotions surrounding Colón, ranging from pride in heritage to criticism of colonial oppression, reflect the broader implications of colonialism on Puerto Rican identity. Ultimately, the statue stands as a reminder of a painful past, but also the growth made since 1493.