#1374 Tell Stories, Not Myths: Columbus and the Centrality of Colonialism (Repost + Bonus Clips)

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 10/13/2020

Today we take a look at the myths of Columbus and American Exceptionalism™ that we cling to and turn our gaze to some of the less-understood but more accurate and important aspects of our collective history

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Can You Handle The Truth? - Native Opinion Podcast an American Indian Perspective - Air Date 10-20-19

This is a heavy episode of our show. Discussions include Blood quantum and its use in Tribal Enrollment, American·s false love affair with President Abraham Lincoln and Christopher Columbus.

Ch. 2: Why the US celebrates Columbus Day - Vox - Air Date 10-8-20

For centuries, the destruction and disease he ushered into the Americas have been set aside, allowing the myth of a pioneering sailor who discovered America and proved the world was round to embed itself in US culture.

Ch. 3: Columbus In His Own Words - Let's Talk Native TV - Air Date 10-12-19

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on a small island in the Caribbean... these are his words.

Ch. 4: In Search of a Better American Myth - Progressive Faith Sermons, Dr. Roger Ray - Air Date 10-11-20

A civilization’s shared myths account for why things are the way they are. They can bolster loyalty to a religion or a nation, and they can excuse class and race privilege.

Ch. 5: Jon Schwarz on social silence, hidden history, and why Trump is our most honest president - The Katie Halper Show - Air Date 11-22-18

Jon Schwarz on social silence and hidden history.

Ch. 6: Voting Is Not Enough: Fight Voter Suppression & Help Restore Native Voting Rights - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 7: City Upon A Hill: A History Of American Exceptionalism - BackStory - Air Date 1-22-16

Tracing the origin and misappropriation of the idea of America as a "City upon a hill."

Ch. 8: The American Exceptionalism Mythology - Loud & Clear - Air Date 7-5-19

Exploring the origins and falsity of the idea of "American Exceptionalism™"

Ch. 9: Columbus redux! - Let's Talk Native - Air Date 7-17-19

The irony of telling dissatisfied progressives of color to "Go back where they came from" is that America is only so full of white people because they left their old countries rather than staying and trying to improve them.

Ch. 10: Why The Right Is So Dishonest About American History - Cracked (Some More News) - Air Date 11-21-17

Happy almost-Thanksgiving. What could be better than football and turkey? Well, there·s genocide and stuff, but we don·t want to ruin your holidays. We·ll leave that to the disingenuous folks who would like to pretend that there is nothing wrong.

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 11: In response to Craig from OH about the progressive myth - Dave from Olympia, WA

Ch. 12: Conservative blindspot on climate - Craig from Ohio

Ch. 13: Is 'kids in cages' really a conservative blindspot? - Larry from Minnesota

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 14: Final comments on the blindspots from the right and left including the family separation policy, foreign policy and the climate emergency

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE

"Christopher Columbus Statue Torn Down at Minnesota State Capitol" by Tony Webster, Flickr | License | Modifications: Cropped

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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