Blog #9: Columbus
Blog #9: Columbus
Was Columbus a hero or villain?
Columbus is a hero, right? Well, that's what everyone says. That's what all the children books say, and why today (Columbus Day) is a celebration. But, why? How do you know he is a hero? Yes, in 1492, he sailed the ocean blue and it is quite possible that, if it weren't for Columbus, we wouldn't be here today. Columbus made progress. However, who's point of view is this told from? Not, the Indians who barely survived this encounter, but the Spaniards, who, of course, thought Columbus was heroic. Also, progress is only an excuse. Columbus's progress camouflages the genocide, that was "necessary" for such progress, the cruel subjugation, and the ruthless exploitation. Columbus murdered, mutilated, and drove people to commit suicide. Now, tell me he is a hero. His progress was at the expense of the Indians, making him, to a greater extent a villain. Columbus described the natives as generous and "willing to trade everything." It was clear that they valued hospitality and believed in sharing. But, Columbus did not return this appreciation. Instead, he could only think about slaves and gold. Columbus proceeded to take some of the Indians on his ship, insisting they show him where the gold was. He eventually forced them to find a certain quantity of gold each month, giving those who completed this a copper token. Those without a copper token had their hands cut off and were left to bleed to death. Once there was no gold left, they were forced on to encomiendas, large slave estates. Columbus also took women and children captive for sex and labor. As Columbus continued to mistreat the natives, Bartolome de Las Casas criticized Spanish treatment of Indians. He believed they were becoming more conceited everyday. The Indians couldn't defend themselves. As slaves, the natives were also forced to work in mines, where many of them died. The natives just kept dying. Columbus didn't make "necessary progress" but disintegrated a world of innocent people. And, for what? In the long run, Spain, or any other European country, did not hold their possessions in the New World. Columbus was cruel. He was a villain. And despite his heroic appearance as discovering the New World, our Columbus Day celebration is merely celebrating how Columbus's wrongdoing's brought us here today.
Was Columbus a hero or villain?
Columbus is a hero, right? Well, that's what everyone says. That's what all the children books say, and why today (Columbus Day) is a celebration. But, why? How do you know he is a hero? Yes, in 1492, he sailed the ocean blue and it is quite possible that, if it weren't for Columbus, we wouldn't be here today. Columbus made progress. However, who's point of view is this told from? Not, the Indians who barely survived this encounter, but the Spaniards, who, of course, thought Columbus was heroic. Also, progress is only an excuse. Columbus's progress camouflages the genocide, that was "necessary" for such progress, the cruel subjugation, and the ruthless exploitation. Columbus murdered, mutilated, and drove people to commit suicide. Now, tell me he is a hero. His progress was at the expense of the Indians, making him, to a greater extent a villain. Columbus described the natives as generous and "willing to trade everything." It was clear that they valued hospitality and believed in sharing. But, Columbus did not return this appreciation. Instead, he could only think about slaves and gold. Columbus proceeded to take some of the Indians on his ship, insisting they show him where the gold was. He eventually forced them to find a certain quantity of gold each month, giving those who completed this a copper token. Those without a copper token had their hands cut off and were left to bleed to death. Once there was no gold left, they were forced on to encomiendas, large slave estates. Columbus also took women and children captive for sex and labor. As Columbus continued to mistreat the natives, Bartolome de Las Casas criticized Spanish treatment of Indians. He believed they were becoming more conceited everyday. The Indians couldn't defend themselves. As slaves, the natives were also forced to work in mines, where many of them died. The natives just kept dying. Columbus didn't make "necessary progress" but disintegrated a world of innocent people. And, for what? In the long run, Spain, or any other European country, did not hold their possessions in the New World. Columbus was cruel. He was a villain. And despite his heroic appearance as discovering the New World, our Columbus Day celebration is merely celebrating how Columbus's wrongdoing's brought us here today.
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| Hernando Cortez, a Spanish conquistador, was know for causing the fall of the Aztec Empire. He killed many natives in his expedition to conquer Mexico, similar to Columbus's exploitation of natives in Hispaniola. |
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