Today I want to discuss a controversial topic, Columbus, and whether or not we should continue to celebrate him as the person who discovered America.
A brief history recap, Christopher Columbus was looking for a new route to Asia. He believed he could sail west and find a shorter way to the East Indies. In addition, a new trade route made transporting goods more manageable and cheaper. The Spanish crown, Queen Isabella I of Castile, believed in his venture and financed the voyage. Columbus’ ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, landed in the Bahamas.
Arriving in the Bahamas, Columbus encountered the Taino people, who were native to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. He also met the Arawak people, who were native to South America.
The Taino people were peaceful and friendly people who lived in harmony with their environment. However, the Taino people experienced many negative consequences after encountering Columbus and his crew. Columbus and his crew brought diseases to the Taino people, decimating the Taino population. Columbus and his crew also subjected the Taino people to violence and abuse. In addition, Columbus forcibly took possession of Taino land and resources. As a result of Columbus’ actions, the Taino people suffered greatly, and their culture was largely destroyed. The Spaniards who followed Columbus also killed many Taino people. By 1520, the Taino people had virtually disappeared.
Many historians believe that Columbus’ arrival in the Americas led to the death of millions of people. He and his expedition brought diseases like smallpox and measles to the continent, spreading quickly among the native populations with no immunity. In addition, Columbus and his men enslaved or killed many natives and destroyed their cultures and way of life.
Today, native Americans are trying to change Columbus Day’s celebration to Indigenous People’s Day to reflect a more accurate history. Columbus has been celebrated as a hero for discovering new land. Still, his arrival marks the beginning of centuries of genocide and oppression of native peoples. Columbus and his men were responsible for enslaving and torturing native people, massacring entire villages, and introducing diseases that decimated indigenous populations. In short, Columbus represents one of the darkest chapters in American history.
The genocide of Native Americans was one of the worst crimes in history, and we must remember it. Indigenous People’s Day is a way to remember the victims of Columbus’ violence and celebrate indigenous people’s cultures worldwide.
Some people argue that we should not erase Columbus from our history but rather learn from his mistakes. However, celebrating a figure representing such a dark period in our past is not productive. Instead, indigenous People’s day allows us to remember and honor the millions of people affected by colonization while also celebrating the cultures and traditions of native peoples.
No matter what side of the debate you fall on, it is undeniable that Columbus and his expedition had a significant impact on the native peoples of North and South America. The arrival of new technologies, animals, and diseases introduced by the Europeans changed how these cultures lived forever. Columbus is a controversial figure, but his impact on history is undeniable. What do you think? Should we celebrate Columbus day or Indigenous People’s day?
Let me know in the comments below.
All photos included in this blog post are from the iStock.com library.