random samplings of a restless mind scanning life's canopy
Christopher Columbus was looking for a new route to India, that mysterious oriental mistress of spices enticing Europe throughout the middle ages, when he ran into a whole new continent 518 years ago today, and became the "discoverer" of America. Rather unfortunate, that "discovery" turned out to be, for the many native people whose ancestors had already "discovered" the continent and had inhabited it for over 15,000 years. Many of European descent in the Americas, and indeed the US federal government, still celebrate Columbus Day (today) with a holiday in his honor. Others recognize the full extent of his genocidal legacy and refuse to celebrate what should perhaps instead be a national/continental day of mourning.
As an Indian of the original variety, come lately to this continent myself, all I can offer to my Amerindian brothers and sisters, who have endured the horrors that came in Columbus' wake, is an apology: I am sorry, for it was my subcontinent he was trying to find! Your continent just happened to be in the way.
And thank you: for the tomatoes, the eggplants, the potatoes, and especially the chillies - I cannot imagine what our cuisine (mild-medium-or-spicy) was like before those wonderful plants made their way back to India!
I'm a reconciliation ecologist studying the responses of wildlife to human influences through an evolutionary lens. I seek ways to apply evolutionary ecology towards reconciling biodiversity conservation with human development. Also a father of two girls; photographer; birdwatcher; bookworm; cinephile; and explorer of the internets.
I'm a reconciliation ecologist studying the responses of wildlife to human influences through an evolutionary lens. I seek ways to apply evolutionary ecology towards reconciling biodiversity conservation with human development. Also a father of two girls; photographer; birdwatcher; bookworm; cinephile; and explorer of the internets.
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