Las Casas, A Champion of Justice
The struggle of Las Casas against the likes of conquistadors, monarchs, and opponents like Sepulveda was perhaps the most pressing ethical dilemma of the early sixteenth century. Millions of defenseless lives hung in the balance, totally dependent upon Las Casas’ willingness to continue to engage in this uphill fight. Las Casas never saw complete victory, as the Indians on the island of Hispaniola were wiped out, millions more in Mexico and South America were killed by sword and disease, and the reforms that were instituted during his lifetime were weakly enforced. Nevertheless, his efforts matter. He was a representative of those whose voices were ignored or silenced, and he fought vehemently for equal treatment. His theological studies and Christian writings encouraged his fellow Spaniards to cast off greed and bloodlust, and love their neighbors as themselves. His firsthand accounts have educated generations of readers what can happen when we forget our humanity.