For instance, they lay out what specific textbooks omitted about Columbuss involvement with the slave trade and genocide. Aside from the despicable acts that Columbus and his people committed, there is plenty of evidence to show that Columbus was not the first foreigner to arrive on the continent anyway. The main reason some Leftists dont want to celebrate Christopher Columbus is because his actions supposedly led to the genocide of Native American peoples. Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. It not only invalidates the legitimacy of the natives people claim to their land but also projects the notion that the natives arent people at all. Even if we ignore that, this one still depends on your definition of America. Alaska is said not to celebrate the day because it falls too close to Alaska Day (Oct . Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. 2. Which, of course, led to a demand for more slaves. Or better yet, follow him. I dont think that we should start childrens education by saying that the country is built on the genocide of a group and the enslavement of another. Columbus Is Innocent of Most of the Charges Against Him, Christopher Columbus was not perfect, but he is innocent of most of his alleged crimes. Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, Alleged Sighting of the Mythical Manananggal in the Philippines Causes Public Anxiety, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, The Evidence is Cut in Stone: A Compelling Argument for Lost High Technology in Ancient Egypt, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort. Alaska was second, in 2017, enacting Indigenous Peoples Day. In recent years, the conversation has become more nuanced, as educators and people across the country have begun to explore the many reasons why celebrating Christopher Columbus is problematic: the violent abuse of indigenous peoples, the launch of the transatlantic slave trade, and the introduction of a swath of lethal diseases to an unprepared continent. ). Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. Thats a lesson for later. Thats when learning happens. Within a few decades, only a few hundred of an original native population of 300,000 remained. Pre-Columbian civilizations from Mexico to Peru were nearly all responsible for brutal violence on a large scale long before Columbus arrived on the shores of the New World including human sacrifices, even of children, sometimes by tearing out the victims still-beating heart.. Until the mid-1700s, Christopher Columbus was not widely known among most Americans. It is on public record, that Columbus rewarded his soldiers by giving them Native Americans to rape. I believe thats the tact to take when looking at Chris. The things Columbus did such as capturing the Natives as slaves just made him the man of his time, saying everyone did this, and that he needed the help anyway. Poll shows most Americans want to celebrate Columbus Day. This claim has been proven recently as Viking Leif Ericksson was the first European to discover the New World, about 500 years prior to Columbus' famous journey. Market data provided by Factset. One of the few facts Americans remember from history is "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Certain states and localities have moved away from celebrating Christopher Columbus, and now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. For this nation's over 5 million American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian citizens, Columbus' voyages to the so-called New World inaugurated a long history of exploitation, enslavement, eradication, and erasure (and he himself initiated and sanctioned such actions). It was still his idea to sail west, rather than east to hit the East Indies, right? Congress also believed the holiday would mark the contribution of immigrants to the United States. Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson, also a slave owner, should be remembered for writing one of the most brilliant documents in the history of mankind, the Declaration of Independence, which contributed greatly to the ending of slavery and segregation in the United States. She is a national writer at Her Campus and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Rowan. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . And most of all, I was taught of his discovering America. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Columbus did not "discover America," but his voyages began the Columbian exchange, a turning point in world history involving the massive transfers of human populations, cultures, ideas, animals, plants, and diseases. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. Its the responsibility of our school system to talk about Columbus as part of our work to prepare students to be citizens. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. The holiday is typically observed on the second Monday in October. Its Cristoforo Colombo. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. hen, on his fourth, final voyage, he landed at present-day Panama. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. Columbus day represents an exploration that lead to many discoveries and examples of leadership and control. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. This is the Monster Celebrated on Columbus Day, The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World, Multicultural View of Christopher Columbus Story, The Rise of Sexual Assault in the Military. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. That's my nephew, Trinidad, reveling in the joys of Caribbean sailing somewhere between St. Croix and Buck Island aboard Teroro II. Even the Iroquoian peoples, located in present Northeast United States, often took slaves of other tribes. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. Most of us can remember the day when Americans still seemed to like Christopher Columbus. Without Columbus, the age of exploration wouldnt have been inspired in the way that it was, and has a vital place in American history. All rights reserved. In this 2014 piece, " Columbus Day, or 'Indigenous Peoples' Day'? But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. There were already people living wherever he landed. Well, the Pinta was indeed, the Pinta. After a few weeks sailing, he landed in the present day Bahamas. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. As an anti-paean to a holiday most Americans hardly acknowledge (unless they get a day off), here are a list of reasons that we should remove Columbus Day from our list of federal holidays. He wrote in his log: They brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things they willingly traded everything they owned They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They would make fine servants With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. Their spears are made of cane. In 1891, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history took place in New Orleans after nine Italians were acquitted of murdering the city's police chief. So why Columbus Day? This was a sign of things to come. Here are my main reasons why I refuse to celebrate Columbus Day: 1. The Lefts hatred of Columbus is predicated on the idea that he represents the tyrannical, western force that colonized the Americas at the expense of those already living here. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. (BTW, you can find a list of over 40 of his articles here.). You can order an original essay written according to your instructions. Today's woke perspective condemns Columbus Day as an unworthy holiday. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. . . There are still people who believe Christopher Columbus found America and that what he did was harmless because he was being a man of his time. . This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. Don't know where to start? So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 communities. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. To begin, some people think Columbus is a hero because he found America, which is not true. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. Understanding controversies what Columbus did, how he did it, whether we should be commemorating him builds skills that are fundamental for understanding history and social studies. 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While there is plenty to criticize about Columbus, and what followed his arrival, I think this movement is missing the point. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. Or Napoleon Bonaparte Day, for that matter. I think there is a ton of potential in celebrating an Indigenous Peoples' Day, but what that is, what it looks like we need to start with asking indigenous folks to define it. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldn't have a day where we glorify someone who hurt and enslaved innocent people (Native Americans) and because he destroyed the tranquility in the slaves homes and land with genocide and abuse. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. Since August, eight cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, including several in just the last week. Columbus Personified the American Spirit. He was turned down from the Portuguese crown, Genoa crown, Venice crown, and English crown. It neednt be a battleground, but a chance to celebrate the best within us. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Lately a lot of people have been putting down Western civilization, but its spread is one of the greatest things thats ever happened to humanity. Hi! After Columbus established the first Spanish colony at La Isabela, on the north coast of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic), relations between the Spanish and the indigenous population quickly deteriorated. The Andy Griffith Show Remains a Masterclass in Leadership and Life, Births in Japan Fall to Record Low Amid Catastrophic Population Decline, Foretelling Worlds Future. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. Howell Public Schools Stance on Mask Mandate, In person school, more beneficial to kids. On October 11th, 2021 its 529 years since Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, or Cristoforo Colombo as he was probably known in his native Genoa, landed on the island San Salvador. "It's difficult to think there exists a site anywhere with a higher concentration of cave art.". Within the Italian community, Columbus Day symbolizes the legacy of their ancestors who immigrated to America, overcame poverty, language barriers, and above all, discrimination. Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. Consider how the first Columbus Day parade in New York was described in the newspapers. This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. Always trying. But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Columbus inspired countless other explorers, both of his time and of modern time, to explore and make discoveries. Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. And yet he is given an American holiday for discovering AmericaYeah Ill wait for that to make sense. Read More Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. On October 11, 2021, America officially recognized the inhumane treatment that the Native Americans faced for centuries and honored the brave warriors who fought against the oppression and genocide of their people. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. They have no iron. Even after spending his whole career exploring the Caribbean, Columbus never at any point thought he had landed anywhere other than his intended destination, Asia. We should honor George Washington, the Indispensable man, for his military bravado and skilled leadership as our first president, even though he owned slaves. And maybe only one reason to celebrate. The reason Columbus set sail on his epic journey in the first place was because he raped the 13-year-old daughter of a Spanish Duchess. The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. Columbus Day, which is celebrated today in the USA and honours the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World, is an example of outdated and misguided history. -- Celebrate Italians (though there is some question as to whether Columbus would have considered himself an Italian -- he was long thought to have been born in Genoa, then an independent city-state in what is now Italy, though everyone from Greece to Portugal to Poland have claimed him as their own). The Vikings sailed to, and colonized parts of Newfoundland, Canada, around AD 1000. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. Columbus Undertook Adventure for God and Country, After Columbus returned to Spain from his first voyage to the Americas in 1493, he wrote this in his letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: They manifest the greatest affection towards all of us, exchanging valuable things for trifles, content with the very least thing or nothing at all. This criticism had quickly faded over time, and was replaced by a more pressing issue; the improper treatment towards indigenous people. If you still think Columbus Day is something worth celebrating, here are five other reasons why it isnt: After studying a handful of his favorite books, including the journals of Marco Polo, Columbus became convinced that it was possible to sail directly west to reach the Indies, as China, Japan and India were then known as in Europe. Why is he important? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Very much like the lyrics of the famous She may be ancient Egypts most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. Though it has its controversies, Columbus day should be celebrated. When he was only 23. he had the idea of going to India, China and Japan. Columbus couldn't be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldn't return. Spanish conquistadors couldn't believe their eyes while exploring the rugged terrain of the Andes during their invasion of Peru. Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, California State University - Los Angeles, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, California State University, Channel Islands, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German campus, Keiser University - Latin American Campus, London School of Economics and Political Science, California State University of Sacramento, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, William Paterson University of New Jersey. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . The population of the Taino decreased by over two hundred thousand within sixty years. Medieval Sea Monster Was Likely a Whale, New Research Reveals, What is Shambhala? But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy; small wonder," -Bartolome Las Casas, 1527. We dont want to expose young kids to graphic accounts of brutal treatment of Native Americans, but I think you want them to begin to question: What did this person do? With as simple of a description as that, one would wonder why so much controversy arises from a legal American holiday. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. He brought with him a letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino-Arawak Indians. Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and well deliver the highest-quality essay! You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Diseases were spread and were not able to be resisted by the sick slaves. Columbus killed a tremendous amount of people (genocide), and got away with it because of better equipment, men and control. Not many civilizations were safe when invaders arrived, from Assirians to Vikings; from Gengis Khan to the Roman Empire; from the Jewish general Joshua to the colonial British Empire. To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . Why is Columbus Day being renamed? As these texts have become popular, and more history teachers have read them, more students have learned a more accurate account of Columbus from a younger age. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. Chris wasnt a bad guy right? Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. We dont know exactly where this is, but its most likely one of the islands that make up modern-day Bahamas. The reason Columbus set sail on his epic journey in the first place was because he raped the 13-year-old daughter of a Spanish Duchess. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And, while we celebrate Columbus Day, we can learn from history and also take time to honor Native Americans. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Religion was heavily forced upon the Native American tribes, and the Europeans means of dealing with their obstacles run much more inhumane. Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? CONTACT US: (Only 23 states give their workers a paid day off to celebrate it, according to a 2013 Pew poll). This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. Truth of Discovery Normally, the notion of discovery means encountering a place or an idea for the very first time.. And Im not one to turn down a national holiday for a day off work! 1. In addition to The Daily Citizen, his written pieces have appeared in The Daily Signal, Life News, The Colorado Independent, and The Millennial Review. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a. This follows both Minneapolis and Seattle, which adopted the new. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. At times, they would make an example of a Native by cutting his hands off and tying them around his neck, then telling him to go and 'share the message' with the rest of his tribe. Christopher Columbus wasnt American! And its fundamentally important that they do so. Its important to learn about what Columbus did to Native Americans because not everyone knows the truth about him and his treatment of the Natives. Both in an effort to secure funding for their expedition. (Sarcasm intended.) "Ignore the propaganda and instead remember Christopher Columbus with gratitude and a clear conscience. For all the reasons listed above, and for how he acted during his stay in the Americas, Christopher Columbus should not be remembered as a voyaging adventurer who discovered America. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. Although Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering America, people had been inhabiting both North and South America for thousands of years before the 15 th century criminal explorer actually first set foot there. He even made his crew swear an oath that Cuba was not an island but indeed the mainland of Asia, and that China could be reached overland from there. South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. On his 1492 voyage, Chris landed on a number of islands including some in the Bahamas very close to mainland Florida. Architecture of the Floating (Or Sinking) City: How Was Venice Built? Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! All rights reserved. Not just Europeans, but everyone. What are some Facts about Christopher Columbus? Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. Columbus Day is one of America s oldest holidays. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.).
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