The University of the West IndiesJarvis, Mike (anchor)Holder, Jean (interviewee)Koning, Hans (interviewee)Beckles, Hilary (interviewee)Fraser, Patricia (interviewee)Ransome, Debbie (correspondent)Buchan, Janey (interviewee)Crosskill, Hugh (correspondent)2014-10-102014-10-101992-04-17CAR0995https://hdl.handle.net/2139/391151. This report focuses on the observance of the quincentennial anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean (00:00-00:31)2. The question of how should the anniversary be observed is one of the central points under discussion. Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are looking to market the occasion as a tourist attraction (00:34-01:38)3. The Caribbean Tourism Organization is charged with coordinating a regional tourism marketing drive aimed at getting maximum earnings from the anniversary. President Jean Holder makes it clear that the organization’s business is to market the Caribbean as a tourism destination and would leave the debate of historical significance and what it represents to indigenous peoples to institutions that are better able to handle it (01:39-02:40)4. American based author and historian Hans Koning opposes this view saying that using the occasion as a springboard for commercialism would shift the focus away from the debate surrounding the Columbus legacy (02:41-03:59)5. The Head of the History Department of UWI, Dr. Hilary Beckles, believes that the Caribbean is still grappling with the question of how best to mark the occasion with some favouring celebrations and others reflections on the horror that was unleashed upon the Caribbean as a result of the Columbus mission (04:00-06:03)6. The Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples will not be celebrating the quincentennial anniversary of Columbus’ arrival to the West Indies. One of its members, Patricia Fraser of St. Vincent comments (06:04-06:43)7. Hans Koning, in his interview with correspondent Debbie Ransome, advocates for a rewriting of the history books to reflect certain aspects of Columbus’ voyage which may blemish his record (06:44-09:10)8. Dr. Hilary Beckles gives support for the argument being made for reparations. Reference is made to his article, “Columbus and the Temporary Caribbean Dispensation” in which he argues that, “Columbus as an emissary was the carrier of an economic and political virus to which the people of the Caribbean are yet to develop an immune response” (09:11-11:20)9. Janey Buchan British member of the European Parliament marks the celebration as five hundred years of oppression and shows her support by launching a tee shirt campaign in her hometown Glasgow, with a slogan that reads, “1492 Columbus discovered America? When was it ever lost?” Hugh Crosskill reports (11:21-13:36)10. The report ends with Jean Holder admitting that the debate has somewhat dampened the CTO’s plans to mark the Columbus quincentennial anniversary (13:37-14:18)Stereo 192 bit rate MP3;44,100 Mega bits;16 bitSound, mp3enCopyright British Broadcasting CorporationColumbus Quincentenary, 1992-1993Heritage tourism -- Economic aspects -- Caribbean AreaHolder, Jean S.Koning, HansBeckles, Hilary, 1955-Indigenous peoples -- Violence against -- Caribbean AreaColumbus, Christopher -- AtrocitiesReparations for historical injustices -- AmericaReparations for historical injustices -- Caribbean AreaColumbus Quincentenary, 1992-1993 -- Scotland -- GlasgowCaribbean Tourism OrganizationCaribbean Organization of Indigenous PeoplesFraser, PatriciaCaribbean Tourism organization (CTO)Buchan, JaneyRecording, oralAccess to this collection is available on site at the Main Library, Mona Campus (main.library@uwimona.edu.jm), Jamaica and The Alma Jordan Library (wimail@sta.uwi.edu), St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.