IndianaLocalNews

Notre Dame to cover up murals of Christopher Columbus in New World

The University of Notre Dame says it will cover murals in the university’s main campus building that depict Christopher Columbus in the Western Hemisphere.

The school’s president, the Rev. John Jenkins, says the paintings from the 1880s were intended to encourage immigrants, especially during an anti-Catholic period in America. But he says the 12 murals hide a “darker side” of Columbus’ story: the exploitation and repression of Native Americans. “Many have come to see the murals as — at best — blind to the consequences of Columus’ voyage for the indigenous people” on the continent. The murals are being covered in an effort to respect both sides of the history,” Jenkins said.

Marcus Winchester-Jones is president of a Native American student group. He praised the decision.

The murals in Notre Dame’s Main Building are painted directly on walls. In a letter Sunday, Jenkins says the murals will be covered, although they still could be occasionally displayed.

Jenkins says a permanent display of photos of the paintings will be created elsewhere with an explanation of their context.

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8 comments

Brian Turco January 21, 2019 at 9:26 pm

That is a low blow against Italian Americans by attacking
Columbus and making him responsible for all the Indian ills.

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Kate January 22, 2019 at 1:48 am

If some conservative leaning person tried to sanitize history the liberals would be up in arms. Columbus did far more positive things than negative. Trade routes he discovered then are STILL used today! That in and of itself makes him a note worthy person. WHEN are some African Americans going to admit their OWN leaders had a hand in slavery!!??
I applaud Notre Dame for moving so quickly to erase this country’s history because it offends some thin skin democratic socialist whiners. Well my ancestors were IRISH slaves who were forced into dangerous jobs because the lives of Irishmen were expendable!
Too bad ND did not show the same quick action and empathy when dealing with their child molesting priests! Those victims are living the hell now and have been their entire lives. I am not denying another race was treated deplorably, I am just saying no one is living in slavery today.

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Dan January 22, 2019 at 8:58 am

So who are the “indigenous people”. Certainly not the Indians. They came here (not created or born here) and enslaved other peoples, committed genocide against there own race attacked and murdered many other races and now we have to try to not “offend” them???? I believe Notre dame should remove every sculpture, portrait and any other mention of Fr. Sorin from campus. He was against women and started a men only college that was kept as such until 1975. That is offensive and is way more relevant now than Columbus and the Indians.
Why are all colleges full of snow flake liberals????

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Kate January 22, 2019 at 5:56 pm

Excellent point.

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ric January 22, 2019 at 9:52 am

Look back into the not so distant past: when was was the term “progressive” used openly and by whom? What happened? Where did those people/ that philosophy go?

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Tom January 22, 2019 at 10:00 am

My Great Grandparents legally emigrated from County Cork, Ireland to America. I have red hair. There were no red headed Irish prior to the Vikings “visiting” Ireland. Viking settlements discovered in North America are thought to be dated around the same time the original indigenous peoples were thought to have crossed the Bering land-bridge. I can’t speak to the southern indigenous crowd. I guess I’m saying I have as much a right to live here as anyone, but I’m willing to share even though when my great grandad landed here he was met with signs posted, saying, “Irish Need Not Apply”. This is “The Great Melting Pot” of the world. This is the boldest and most successful experiment in individual freedom ever attempted. It requires cooperation and understanding and rules. Forgive the sins of your fathers, be better than they were. To comment on this article. Notre Dame, you’re supposed to be a seat of higher learning, don’t be stupid.

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Paul January 23, 2019 at 10:14 am

That is such a ridiculous, stupid and IGNORANT thing to do.

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Ginger January 23, 2019 at 12:52 pm

What’s next? Books? Movies? Just saw Bob Hope’s call me Bwana from 1962. It’s not politically correct so it should be banned? #1984 #LiberalNazis

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