By Charles Fredricks Santa Monica
While the title of Thomas Bowden’s column is spot-on accurate (“West is indebted to Chris Columbus,” Oct. 8), reading between the lines, I’d have to say his reference to “frightened savages” was a bit of shadow projection.
What the “West” is most indebted to Columbus for is his assistance in instigating a program of slave-powered genocide, which led to the enrichment of all the European colonial powers, including, by extension, the United States. To persist in ignorance of the nature of how the “West” achieved dominance over other population groups, or worse, to justify these acts, is quite a feat.
Common sense is hard to withhold from one’s subconscious. If Mr. Bowden requires an explanation of the term “shadow projection,” a Jungian analyst would be happy to provide one. Jung made quite a contribution to Western thought. Many of us have yet to catch up with his conclusions, apparently.
I’m no analyst, but what I venture to suggest is that the “frightened savage” Mr. Bowden claims to see in America’s past, is none other than a reflection of Mr. Bowden himself, in America’s present. In convincing himself (and others) of the greatness of Columbus and the superiority of the West, in general, he hides from himself (and others) all the racist acts of murder and thievery on which the West’s economic superiority was (and is) built.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 12, 2007. Read the original PDF.