Digital Narratives and Plurivocity: Regarding the Commemoration of October 12, 1492

October 12th is commemorated in diverse ways, evoking mixed emotions in different parts of the world. Spain celebrates it as Columbus Day or Hispanic Day, while the Americas recognize it under various names: Columbus Day, Indigenous Resistance Day, and Diversity Day, among others. All these terms sought to redefine Columbus's arrival in America and, above all, the consequences that ensued from that arrival.

The ongoing reflection on this date aims to embrace more diverse perspectives in Americas’ national histories, incorporating new voices into the narratives. Digital narratives, like videos, blogs, memes, documentaries, etc., proliferating especially during this time of year, have enriched this debate but also intensified contention. Amidst this confrontation, social movements have been actively working to rethink history and demand justice. For instance, Colombia’s Misak people have demanded historical justice with the motto "Reclaiming the land and memory to reclaim everything," echoing the slogan "Reclaim the land to reclaim everything" from land recovery movements of the 1970s and 80s. They have questioned celebrating the Conquest of America.

In this talk, we will explore the current relevance of demands for "historical justice" from various perspectives. We will particularly focus on the role of digital narratives in the inclusion or exclusion of national historical narratives and their connection to justice. We will bring together three experts: Andrés Burbano, artist; Sebastián Vargas, historian; and Luis Tumiñá, philosopher and community leader of the AISO Movement. The discussion will be in Spanish with simultaneous English translation, moderated by Karla Escobar.

Event registration here.