Hoping to bring fresh perspectives to topics like race & politics, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. Trends are really hard to detect in a country as divided as ours, but Ive noticed two developments in my work teaching high school and teaching at Harvard. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. If the world was round, this was possible, he thought. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "This historically problematic holiday Columbus never actually set foot on the continental U.S. has made an increasing number of people wince, given the enslavement and genocide of Native. 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. Columbus was from a middle class family. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. 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. or redistributed. The holiday celebrates . However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Of course, I learned that everyone expected him to sail off the edge of a flat earth into space or sea monsters or something. The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. About the author: Daniel Berenson contributes to Medium now and then in this case now with original and unique views on such things as squirrels, politics, fairy tales, history, and Spanish telenovelas. Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. Columbus was wrong of course, and needless to say, he didnt actually discover anything the Americas had already been inhabited for thousands of years. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. 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? History comes with an agenda. Get in touch! He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. 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. Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? I doubt it. This follows both Minneapolis and Seattle, which adopted the new. The White House is pushing National Coming Out Day as a way of changing the subject. Columbuss men also killed off slaves whenever needed. uknow@gse.harvard.edu When Columbus landed on the island of Guanahani in 1492, North and South America were . 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.. And in general, we want to students to engage with controversy. So why Columbus Day? 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. Had he have given up, the world would be drastically different today. Today's woke perspective condemns Columbus Day as an unworthy holiday. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 2. Truth of Discovery Normally, the notion of discovery means encountering a place or an idea for the very first time.. Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. Most of us can remember the day when Americans still seemed to like Christopher Columbus. But, again, no mainland United States. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. And Bart was left behind on the cutting room floor of history. Though it was disputed for many years, there is conclusive evidence that Neanderthals bred with modern humans (Homo sapiens). 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In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and well deliver the highest-quality essay! Chris went to Spain and Bart to France. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. In fact, there is proof that the Chinese, Greeks and Italians, all explored America before Columbus. Their spears are made of cane. 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. Itd be ludicrous to say that Columbuswasnt guilty by association. When Columbus arrived in 1492, he enslaved the Natives, and took control over their way of life, and also made his way into the Caribbean Island. But what exactly does it mean to be civilized? They have no iron. According to documents 6 " Christopher Columbus was the greatest, because he accomplished the most against the highest odds before Columbus ' time all European voyages had followed coastlines, or cross open seas to land previously known or at . A lot of depopulation was caused by suicides, including some parents killing their own children to prevent them from living and growing up as a slave. Since then, it's spread across the. Here Are Some Reasons Why. It is claimed by these people that the enjoyment and simplicity of Columbus day is almost a mask or distraction to divert the people from the many indigenous lives lost after the discovery of the New World. 1. - IPL.org; 7.Why We Should Not Celebrate Columbus Day - IPL.org; 8.Why Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated Essay . Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. An angry mob decided to drag them. How many countries award holidays to non-natives? On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. Now theres a deed worth celebrating every year! As I said in the beginning of this piece, Columbus did not discover what would become North America. Not if we cant celebrate Christopher Columbus. This began with the spirit of Christopher Columbus. Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus is just one of those English adaptations someone felt was preferable to pronouncing a foreign sounding name. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, University Overrules Student Senate Activists; Recognizes Conservative Club, A Mansion, Yemen, and Stories of Gods Goodness, Tennessee and Mississippi Pass Bills to Protect Children from Harmful Sex Change Procedures. Columbus Day should be celebrated because Columbus had done a lot to get to the point of sailing. Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer by Staff Reports But I think considering the fact that Columbus also enslaved a group of people who were otherwise peaceful to him should be noted. And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. If I sailed to Italy and said that I discovered this land in the name of Rowan University it wouldnt fly right? 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. If we need a national holiday for the second Monday in October, lets at least honor an AMERICAN who hasnt been shown to be the prime mover in the torture/death/destruction of so many people. Columbus Day was supposed to recognize the greatness of all of America's people, but especially Italians and Native Americans. The New World was discovered within the same timeframe as when slave trade had begun to arise. Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. Alaska was second, in 2017, enacting Indigenous Peoples Day. Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. The New York Society of Tammany also honored Columbus of his first voyage with the marking of his 300th anniversary. Chris wasnt a bad guy right? Thousands of the Taino, or Indians as Columbus had referred to them, were shipped out to be traded internationally. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . Captivating History, Christopher Columbus: A Captivating Guide to the Life of an Italian Explorer and His Voyages to the Americas, Captivating History, 2020 He initiated a turning point in our history. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, We need to own it. Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. Why is he important? His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations. For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. Market data provided by Factset. Lets stop idolizing people in history who dont deserve it. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. 3.Two Reasons Why Columbus Day Should Not be Celebrated; 4.Should Christopher Columbus Day Be Celebrated Essay Example; 5.Columbus Day Is Not Worth Celebrating - GradesFixer; 6.Why Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated?