Reply to Spain must apologize for colonizing Mexico

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There has never been a formal, official, apology.

Spain:  the time has come.  Do the right thing.  Apologize.[/quote]

I actually agree with you OP though no idea if you are genuine or just stirring the pot. Although an apology would be mostly symbolic, it could be a way to open up better communications and respect for ingenious people’s through central and South America .

The devastation done to indigenous peoples of Central and South America during Spanish colonization is on the scale of the Holocaust. People who belong to the once proud cultures of Aztecs/ Maya and Incas (among others) continue to face great discrimination and hardships even today.

“It is estimated that during the initial Spanish conquest of the Americas up to eight million indigenous people died, primarily through the spread of Afro-Eurasian diseases, in a series of events that have been described as the first large-scale act of genocide of the modern era.”.

We could learn a lot from indigenous peoples - such as treating nature with more respect.[/quote]

As someone whose family is Native, I agree with much of the above.

However, also worth pointing out that the "Noble Savage" myth is also absurd.

Many indigenous groups engaged in regular conflict with each other, including wars of aggression and annihilation. Likely one of the causes of Mayan collapse, to cite just one example.[/quote]

PP to whom you responded.

Yes agree that no culture or society is perfect. Some of traditional indigenous practices were brutal - however they did manage to maintain coherent modes of social and economic organization without destroying their natural environment or on the same degree Western societies have.

The Mayan were hardly savages but created an advanced ancient civilization: For example, way before early Western civilizations, the Mayan invented the mathematical concept of zero, developed a written language of hieroglyphs  understood astronomy, created a complex and accurate calendar system.. They also implemented irrigation systems, and agricultural systems.

Mayans were forbidden from speaking their native language, partaking in their native religious rituals, and made to serve the Spanish through perpetual forced labor. In the 16th century bishop Diego de Landa burned perhaps thousands of books during the Spanish inquisition.

Spanish colonization and the Mexican regime that followed (1821-1846) led to  a period of unprecedented regional transformation marked by enslaving and displacing Indigenous Peoples and alteration of the natural ecosystems and habitat.

Indigenous people throughout central and South America face ongoing discrimination and also disrespect for their traditional cultures and languages .

I agree with the New Mexican president that an apology is in order. [/quote]

The Mayan were indeed much more advanced than they are given credit for.  They were also treated unfathomably bad by the Spanish who burned every book written in their language.  Which is mainly the reason why their advancements scientifically and culturally are so minimized and underappreciated but they also practiced human sacrifice.  Two things can be true at the same time.  It's the duality of man.[/quote]

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