Caribbean History
Prompt A: In the summer of 2020, a number of statutes of Columbus were attacked around the world and
several were removed. You have been hired by a special committee of CARICOM to answer the question:
“Should Caribbean communities continue to display statues of Columbus?”
OR
Prompt B: You have been hired by the Virgin Islands Department of Education to weigh in on how contact
moment should be taught in Middle and High Schools. Based upon how you learned about this period and the
current scholarship, what do you think should be central points of emphasis? What would you do to update the
curriculum?
OR
Prompt C: As a historian familiar with the primary sources and existing research scholarship, do you believe
that we
Sample Solution
Caribbean History
It comes as no surprise that in the wake of protests across the country, sparked by the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, that statues deifying Confederate and colonial leaders are being destroyed and toppled. While some art historians and art lovers see these statues as valuable historic material, for many, these statues are not exemplary pieces of public art. They are embossed versions of the systems of oppression people live under. Christopher Columbus is honored with a federal holiday on the second Monday of every October. However, as historians have continued to dig into Christopher Columbus, controversy has arisen over continuing to honor the Italian explorer as a hero. Columbus saw indigenous Americans as obstacles. Caribbean communities should not continue to display statues of Columbus because Columbus is not a beacon of American fortitude, bravery or discovery. He is the patron saint of colonial violence.
