07/06/2020
There was a peaceful protest yesterday in Lagos, dedicated to the movement. This had a deep meaning and connection with Portugal's grim history, since it took place in front of the old slave market. This is now a museum and memorial for all the atrocities committed in the name of global expansion.
The historical figure you see glorified represented by the statue in the middle of the square is Henry the Navigator. He has been credited as the mind that kick-started the Age of Discovery in the 13th century. The ugly truth, is that he greatly financed the nation's enterprises with slavery, allowing for Lagos to become the biggest slave port in Europe at it's height.
While growing up, we were taught about the amazing feats of our "heroes" and of our "superiority" in "discovering" the world. We mostly stride through life without challenging these concepts, that lead to an irrational sense of nationalistic pride.
It's about time to look back and question our national brainwashing. It's about time to look around NOW and stop glorifying what cannot be glorified. No economic prowess can be justified with racism and the oppression of people.
So Henry should stand where he is with his face covered for now. So we don't forget, so we don't react at what he has done with a sense of pride, but one of shame and acknowledgement.
P.S. (as of 14/06/2020) - Hi, my name is André Glória and I’m the author of this post. I’m adding a little comment here to clarify where I stand on this matter, since I’ve been misread and insulted so much by people who seem to be on some sort of hateful witch-hunt.
But first, let me develop more on the idea of cultural identity. For me, as a Portuguese citizen I’ll have to start with what we call our golden era, the Age of Discovery.
I believe that we can’t forget what our ancestors have done. And we can’t perpetuate those tendencies, that discrimination. Regarding our monuments, I think they can be a reminder of the inequalities that persist since a bygone era. So, we can be fair and move forward together. Don’t get me wrong, I believe it’s important to have a cultural identity. After all, isn’t that why we travel? To experience and be exposed to wonderful cultural differences? To open our minds to new realities and to grow our horizons? Let’s just take things with a grain of salt and be aware that no one is perfect, and that in every nation the path to success was paved with blood at some point.
So, cherish your culture, but don’t be blinded by it. Be ready to always question and to evolve.
One of the attacks I’ve been subjected to, was that somehow people believed I was defending the destruction of monuments that had some sort of relationship with outdated practices. My answer to this is a definite NO. These monuments should all stay, but should have some sort of acknowledgement of the non-ethical, non-human practices they are connected to. The Lagos Slave Museum and Memorial is a good example. And I do remember visiting the Auschwitz concentration camp years ago, and being filled with emotions and dread. These are structures that can be and should be educational. History is here to teach a lot of things, one of these being, the things that changed and that can still improve.
Now, I am aware that there are a lot of people taking advantage of this movement that started in the States. And like any other movement out-there, there’s always going to be extremists and opportunists.
This doesn’t change the fact that there still exists a systemic problem of racism worldwide. Portugal included. If you don’t believe it, check this article by “Público”, a reputable Portuguese news agency (https://acervo.publico.pt/racismo-a-portuguesa). We made a stand for a good cause, and there are always going to be people misrepresenting. Those people do not stand for any cause, but their own selfish personal interests.
So yeah, whoever you are, if you preach for a cause and are driven into extremism, hate and insults, I’m sorry to say, but you are no better than the walls you are trying to destroy.
For all the haters out there, my advice is: read, research and question without insult. If you have such strong beliefs and you really want to move forward, dialogue and the exchange of ideas should be your methods. Not calling someone stupid when you don’t really take the time to read things properly. Not attacking others because you believe that only your ideas matter. That’s called fundamentalism, and fundamentalism is ALWAYS wrong.
Feel free to comment of course, that’s why we share our beliefs. To challenge them. But if you start with insults, you will be blocked. After all, we don’t have any time to lose with trolls.
