Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. His father was a wool weaver, and cheese stand owner. And yes, I know Columbus was at least in part a product of his brutish times and any nation who landed on Hispaniola in 1492 might have done similar things. Elliott Lassitter and John WirtOctober 26, 2017. How could we look at this from a different perspective? After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? And yet he is given an American holiday for discovering AmericaYeah Ill wait for that to make sense. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. Wrong, it was his younger brother Bartholomews. Within the Italian community, Columbus Day symbolizes the legacy of their ancestors who immigrated to America, overcame poverty, language barriers, and above all, discrimination. Posted by Zachary Mettler | Oct 14, 2019 | Opinion. The West has its good and bad points, but its best ideasequal rights, freedom of religion, free speech, due process, open scientific inquiry, property rights and so onhave helped all people who adopt them. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. Its 2020 people. Well, the tough thing about labeling someone as good or bad is the definitions change with the times. Don't know where to start? So, no, Columbus did not discover the New World.. Lets look at Columbus himself, to see if he meets the definition. The main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. Those left were forced to work in mines and plantations. Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. . He decided at an early age that this was not the life for him. "Ignore the propaganda and instead remember Christopher Columbus with gratitude and a clear conscience. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . 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. 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. Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things, which I had brought with me, for no return whatever, in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain., Columbus usually treated the Native Americans kindly and brought them gifts in order to win their favor. For example, a neighbor taking a stick and beating your child as some kind of punishment might have been perfectly fine at one time. It is perhaps worth revisiting the two distinct reasons why we celebrate Columbus Day in the first place, and . So, yes, in 1498 and 1502, he did reach the continental Americas. I remember learning about Columbus as a young child and I was in awe learning about the explorer. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. So, enjoy the day off and celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. (See, Columbus promised Ferdinand and Isabella so much, including gold, they had given him 17 ships and well over a thousand men for his second voyage! He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. In any case, we know for a fact that Europeans traveled to America almost 500 years before Columbus. Berkeley originally replaced Columbus Day with show more content. Two Reasons why Columbus Day should not be Celebrated, This example was written and submitted by a fellow student. 1. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. So before waving the US flag in celebration of a criminal who did not discover America, spare a thought for the millions of Native Americans who were murdered as a result of Christopher Columbus arrival on American soil. It's also why it's crucial we learn facts about Native Americans and. Within a few decades, only a few hundred of an original native population of 300,000 remained. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. 1. Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. Except, once Chris had succeeded in Spain, he didnt wait for his brother. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. If we blame Columbus and the Spanish kings, we should also blame every other invader and conqueror in History. Itd be ludicrous to say that Columbuswasnt guilty by association. 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. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? 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. That's my nephew, Trinidad, reveling in the joys of Caribbean sailing somewhere between St. Croix and Buck Island aboard Teroro II. 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. And, sure he was directly responsible for the enslavement, torture, mutilation, and murder of tens of thousands of Native American people in the Caribbean islands during his quest for riches. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. Three other states New Mexico, Maine, Vermont followed suit this year. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. 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. 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. Nevertheless, Italians claim him today and Columbus Day is a good chance to recognize what Italians have contributed to America, and the world. The holiday is typically observed on the second Monday in October. And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? Contrary to popular belief, Columbus Day is a celebration of diversity, not oppression. Our writers can help you with any type of essay. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Why is he important? There are also theories that the Irish arrived far before the Vikings, and that the Chinese and Polynesians may also have also visited the Americas before Columbus. 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. I doubt it. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. The attack on Columbus Day is a major facet of the cultural . However, it was his brother, the cartographers idea to sail West. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. Usable Knowledge Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. The New World was discovered within the same timeframe as when slave trade had begun to arise. Bring them to the light, if you would. 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 New York Society of Tammany also honored Columbus of his first voyage with the marking of his 300th anniversary. She is a national writer at Her Campus and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Rowan. The slaves were to do most of Columbuss dirty work, as he was highly demanding of gold, crops, and land, which caused many of the slaves to be malnourished and sick. There were already people living wherever he landed. The king wrote, We in his name will receive you with love and charity, respecting your freedom and that of your wives and sons and your rights of possession and we shall not compel you to baptism unless you, informed of the truth, wish to convert to our holy Catholic faith., Columbuss drive for exploration was religious. Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. Captivating History, Christopher Columbus: A Captivating Guide to the Life of an Italian Explorer and His Voyages to the Americas, Captivating History, 2020 Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Last updated by Patrick Bennett on 10/02/2021. Most of us can remember the day when Americans still seemed to like Christopher Columbus. Furthermore, Columbus continued to enslave Natives and abuse their nation, damage their environment, and their rights as humans. Yeah. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. He read books, studied the ocean, and made a name for himself. Jarrett Stepman also writes in his book The War on History, What is never explained is why so-called indigenous peoples are worthy of celebration if Columbus is not. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. 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? Mother and Child Reunion Of Thetis And Achilles, Seductive Sirens of Greek Mythology and How Heroes Resisted Them, Celestial Goddess Selene: The Ancient Greek Goddess of the Moon, Pegasus of Greek Mythology: Majestic Winged Horse of Mount Olympus, Dreams of Human-Powered Flight: Daedalus and the Story of Icarus, The Warriors Who Shaped African History: The Horsemen of Oyo, Royal Mistress Jane Shore Walked Streets of London in her Underwear, Leonardo Da Vincis Notes Show He Understood Gravity Long Before Newton, Talks Begin on Repatriating Remains of Patrick Sarsfield, Irish War Hero, The Ramessid Dynasty: A Golden Era in Ancient Egypt, Unraveling the Mystery of the Carnac Stones: An Ancient Puzzle of Epic Proportions, Unraveling the Enigma of Aramu Muru, The Mysterious Gate of the Gods. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. Rather than celebrate, we believe it should be a day to mourn the destruction of an indigenous population which had lived in peace for tens of thousands of years before Columbus a rapist and murderer set foot on American soil. Chris wasnt a bad guy right? The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. (Only 23 states give their workers a paid day off to celebrate it, according to a 2013 Pew poll). 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. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. Columbus is also well known as a great explorer, and not the man he truly is, who hurt people in order for things to go his way and for him to get what he wants, which was power., Two Reasons Why Columbus Day Should Not be Celebrated. Columbus never even came to this country! Listen I know almost everyone celebrated in history enslaved people. Christopher Columbus was a murderer, rapist, and thief who did not actually find America, but indeed only visited a land where Native Americans have already been living. Washington, D.C., has joined hundreds of U.S. cities in seven states in replacing Columbus Day with a day to celebrate Native Americans. His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations. A growing number of cities are no longer celebrating Columbus Day, swapping it for "Indigenous Peoples' Day.". Every year, on the second Monday in October, the people in the United States celebrate a national holiday in memory of Christopher Columbus, the one who discovered the new continent. If you dont like it, well kill you.) Besides that, there is ample evidence of Leif Erickson and his fellow Vikings landing in Newfoundland/Labrador around five centuries earlier. A recent Marist Poll shows why: Those campaigning against Columbus Day are in the minority. Columbus couldn't be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldn't return. Until the mid-1700s, Christopher Columbus was not widely known among most Americans. History comes with an agenda. Always trying. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. 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. Here Are Some Reasons Why. Upon arriving in the New World, one of the first observations Columbus made with regards to the indigenous people was the following: 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. But since the 1990s, a growing number of states have begun to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day - a holiday meant to honor the culture and history of the people living in the Americas both before and after Columbus' arrival. Chris went to Spain and Bart to France. To realize this dream, they split up. Yet, what is rarely discussed is the barbaric genocide perpetrated by Native American tribes from Mexico to Peru against other Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans. How many countries award holidays to non-natives? The United States and several Latin American countries celebrate Columbus Day to recognize Christopher Columbus striking land in the Americas and the mixing of European and Native American Cultures. Although it has been a tradition in the United States to recognize this day as a federal holiday for many years, whether Christopher Columbus' actions merit celebration is now being questioned, and rightly so . "To date, these are the oldest traces of human existence in the Americas," said archaeologist Niede Guidon who has headed a mission to carry out large-scale excavation of Piaui's interior since the 1970's. This was due to the impression that Columbus was attempting to spread Catholic influence. This began with the spirit of Christopher Columbus. He brought with him a letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino-Arawak Indians. On his first voyage, Columbus promised the crew on his three ships (Santa Maria, Pinta and Santa Clara) that the first person who spotted land would receive a lifetime pension. 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. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. Americans, for all our faults, love adventure. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. hen, on his fourth, final voyage, he landed at present-day Panama. 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 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. For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. (You may want to add this into the equation.). As a result, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Columbus Day into law as a way to celebrate the hero who changed the world (Bragdon 12). If this is what it means to be civilized and our children are taught to revere Columbus and his heroic adventure, what hope is there for our future? An angry mob decided to drag them. As awareness has grown about the catastrophic effect his discovery had on Americas indigenous populations, it has increasingly been viewed as a disaster rather than triumph, and rightly so. 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. Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/two-reasons-why-columbus-day-should-not-be-celebrated/. Is Columbus' tomb in the Dominican Republic or Seville? Not if we cant celebrate Christopher Columbus. Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. We should celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead. uknow@gse.harvard.edu Large Increase in U.S. Hi! 1. In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. Now, I got nothing against thousands of virgins or a good story. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. Or Napoleon Bonaparte Day, for that matter. by sailing west. Lets stop idolizing people in history who dont deserve it. As a citizen, you need to be able to critically engage and reflect in a discourse around the public celebration and honoring of historical events and figures. Yet in the past few decades, something has changed. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Columbus is often portrayed as a heroic figure who bravely discovered America, but this narrative ignores the fact that the Americas were already inhabited by millions of people before Columbus arrived. 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. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. But as I got older and began learning more about the history of the Caribbean, the glossy veneer of ol Chris didnt hold up. Columbus wanted to test this idea. 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.. Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. 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. . If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. or redistributed. Land was first spotted by Rodrigo de Triana, a lookout on the Pinta, and thereafter by its captain Martin Alonso Pinzo, who notified Columbus. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. With as simple of a description as that, one would wonder why so much controversy arises from a legal American holiday. There are several reasons why Columbus Day has become controversial.

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