By: Timothy Renzi
Most Americans, who have taken basic
history classes, have learned about the hero, Christopher Columbus, and his
voyages to the “New World”, the place they now call home. As Americans, we
acknowledge his accomplishments by taking off from school and work, devoting an
entire day to him. So I can safely assume that if I gave the average person,
with a high school level education, a list of statements about this man we
admire so much, they could they tell me if each statement is true or false.
Right? I can assure you that majority of your answers would be wrong.
Here are some statements about
Christopher Columbus and his voyage. Lets see if you know the man we honor once
a year in October and have given praise with multiple statues scattered
throughout the country, such as the one located in New York City at Central
Park.[1]
1. Christopher Columbus began his voyage and
discovered the New World in 1492.[2]
2. Christopher Columbus and his men first
landed on the beach of the Bahamas, encountering the Lucayan, Taíno and Arawak people. [2]
3. The native people of the islands helped
Christopher Columbus and his men recover from their shipwreck since they were
extremely hospitable. [2]
4. The natives were selfish people that
could not be reasoned with because they believed in keeping to themselves,
which would ensure their survival.
5. Christopher Columbus immediately captured
6 Indians with an hour of landing in the Bahamas.[3]
6. Christopher Columbus tried to work with
the native tribes but they did not cooperate and began a war to force the
explorers from their homeland.
7. Christopher Columbus enslaved the
natives, forcing them to work in gold mines, and claimed their homeland for
Spain. [2]
8. Christopher Columbus and his men sold the
native women into sexual slavery, tested their swords on their children, and
reduced their population by 50% (125,000 people) in two years. [2]
The following statements
are true: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8. Are you surprised? I know I was when I read
about the vicious, barbaric, and unethical decisions that Christopher Columbus
made while exploring the New World. It’s humbling when you realize the
ignorance of America to it’s own history and how people lack basic knowledge
about the person who discovered it. But think about it, what were you taught in
middle school and high school? It’s more than likely that you learned about
terrorists, mass murders, and communist leaders from other countries, but
nothing about the faults of leaders or explorers of the Americas. The worst
aspect of these twisted history curriculums taught to children is that they
illuminate the good and never address the downfalls of America and it’s past
time. This dilemma of ignorance spans not only the subject of history, but
sociology and sexual education as well. Take a minute and ask yourself if
actually know what is behind the “curtain” of the place you call home? The
questions you could ask about stereotypes, gender discrimination and role
evolution, slave trade, and countless other historical or present day issues will
cause revelations that can change the mindsets of Americans across the country.
[1] Peter, van der Krogt. Society for the History of
Discoveries, "Columbus Monuments Pages." Accessed January 30, 2014.
http://columbus.vanderkrogt.net/.
[2] Kasum, Eric. "Columbus Day? True Legacy:
Cruelty and Slavery." The Huffington Post, October 11, 2010.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-kasum/columbus-day-a-bad-idea_b_742708.html
(accessed January 30, 2014).
[3] “Columbus Controversy,” The
History Channel website, http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-controversy
(accessed Jan 30, 2014).
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