Statue of Spanish conquistador reinstalled in central Lima

3 comments

1. >Indigenous leaders say he was a mass murderer who destroyed their culture, while those who supported the statue’s return said Peru should not erase its history. 

   Same stupid argument as always. Not having statues of historical figures isn’t “erasing history”, statues aren’t exactly educational.

2. As a Spaniard, I think I have no say on this matter because Peruvians choose on Peruvian matters, as it should be. And obviously, like in every other country on earth, Peruvians have opposing views on any topic.

   As a person, however, I think I would very much dislike to have a statue of a person who only brought submission of my people to a foreign power. Even if that person is literally the reason my own city exists. Having a statue does not offer insight or critical thinking about this topic, it does not simply happen to you that, just by looking at it, you suddenly understand what happened and how this historical event had good and bad implications (like literally every historical event), what happens when you look at a statue, ANY statue, is that you see someone who was deemed worthy of being immortalised and celebrated.

   Spain has historically been conquered by quite a big amount of foreign powers, and luckily, we have managed to keep our sovereignity, we don’t hold a grudge against the Greek, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Vandals, the French (okay maybe a little but for different reasons). There is no reason for us to hide or deny that these foreign powers influenced our identity and they somehow brought us where we are. The French literally invaded us, and with them came in modernization! But there’s no reason to have a statue of Napoleon…

   Like I said, Peruvians do well because they are deciding upon themselves what is it that they want. But that doesn’t mean I agree with the decision, and I’m pretty sure that a lot of Peruvians share this thought.

   I have zero doubt that the statue will soon be vandalized. If not done away with, in the long run. It already was, once.

3. Big thanks once again goes to the United Amerikkkan States for couping another progressive government to install a super right-wing Fujimaro style regime. Place your bets on what reform they’ll revert next. My money is on the warning labels for unhealthy food.

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