"Watching The Barbarians on the History Channel on cable, I saw that there are some cultures and individuals referred to as barbaric. All are considered agents of social and political change.

The graphic depictions on television showing the killing of helpless men, women, children, even animals -- the victims with slashes and arrows all over their bodies -- makes me think of how our ancestors, both Indian and Spanish settlers, must have suffered during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt (massacre). More than 1,000 Spanish men, women and children, including 21 Franciscan priests and many Indians who would not join with the leader Pop� and his Capitan siege, were killed.

My feeling is that we must be sensitive to each other. We share in religion, culture, blood and, as New Mexicans most of all, we are not responsible for our ancestors' sins.

An amendment has been introduced twice at different legislative sessions to amend the original bill, which puts a statue of Pop� in Washington, D.C., only to be tabled. The amendment called for electing an honorable New Mexican, preferably an American Indian. In our eyes, Pop� falls far from being the right one."

Get the Story:
Samuel Delgado: Pop� Isn't Proper Occupant of Statuary Hall (The Santa Fe New Mexican 2/7)

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Pueblo leader unveiled today (10/27)
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