What should be taught?

[2wise4u]

By Abrahan Deleon
Every year, Americans observe Columbus Day. Banks are closed, some schools are recessed and government offices are empty in remembrance of this European explorer. Columbus is not only remembered in October, but we learn in American history about the influence he had in opening North America to Europeans. In fact, "In Fourteen Hundred and Ninety-Two, Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue" is a mnemonic many use to remember that important date. Unfortunately, we were not taught the reality behind Christopher Columbus' visit. Columbus was responsible for slaughtering, enslaving and exploiting Native inhabitants when he arrived. He caused an epidemic on a massive scale, and European diseases decimated Native populations. His "founding" of North America also led to the enslavement of many Native people, which further strained relationships between Europeans and Native inhabitants. What emerges from this "holiday" is not only the bloodshed that Columbus caused, but also the "heroification" of a man that was responsible for widespread destruction.

Many of us were taught that Columbus was one of the first European explorers to reach the Caribbean. Historians have found that many explorers, from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and early Europeans, like the Vikings, made voyages to North America before Columbus. In essence, Columbus is credited for "founding" North America, even though other explorers, and Native peoples, had been there long before Columbus arrived. What separated Columbus from these other explorers is that he claimed everything he saw when he disembarked from his boat. Native lands, mineral wealth, natural resources and even the inhabitants became European "property." European weapons made the conquest much more feasible because they were able to control the Native population through violence. They brutally conquered Native populations through force, and coercion. They would torture, maim, rape, and commit other unspeakable acts. Native inhabitants were forced to work in mines, rather than partake in their traditional farming occupations and new animals were introduced by European conquerors that were unknown to the native ecosystem. Europeans also brought diseases that caused outbreaks on an epidemic level. Native peoples were also enslaved, and many were sent back to Europe as slaves. It is also important to note that it was not only material wealth that spurred European explorers, but also the proselytizing nature of Christianity (Samuel Marble, Before Columbus, and Kirkpatrick Sale, The Conquest of Paradise).

It is important to note that what we have been taught about Columbus has been either grossly inaccurate, or exaggerated. When Congress pushed for a national "holiday" celebrating Columbus Day, it appears they were not aware of all the facts behind Columbus, or were not interested in the racist implications it held for many Native Americans. Unfortunately, we have been taught lies about Columbus that have become fact. History textbooks have created a Christopher Columbus that exists on a mythic level. Even though there were earlier European explorers, he "devised" the idea that the world was not flat. Paintings depict him as a benevolent explorer that befriended Native people he encountered. Without presenting the negative aspects of Columbus and other historical figures, they have become "heroified," and we are presented with a person that did not make any mistakes, or commit any wrong acts. This is most evident when we discovered that Thomas Jefferson had children with Sally Hemings, his African American slave, and the intense opposition that exists about recognizing this facet of Jefferson's life. As James Loewen found, by omitting, and sanitizing aspects of our national "heroes," we are only left with their hard work, determination, patriotism and other virtues Americans celebrate. In essence, these figures are given a, "...Disney version of history..." By not presenting Americans with all the facts about historical figures, it makes us feel that we can only make change if we are perfect and noble human beings. If students were presented with everything about our national heroes, many more might pursue to attack social ills in our society today.

It is also important to realize that our national figures need to be from all walks of life; advocates from the poor corners of our society, women, people of color and other historically marginalized groups. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are extremely important, but how many students can name other influential people of color who have been social advocates? Students are given the accomplishments of great European American men, but people of color have very few role models they can emulate. In no way am I advocating that we erase important historical figures like George Washington, but it is important to know that Washington did own slaves and was not a demigod, but possessed the fears, and insecurities we all have.

Christopher Columbus is a very important historical figure, both positively and negatively. He was one of the many explorers that helped open trade routes for Europeans, but at the expense of Native Americans. His legacy will never be forgotten for the countless Native inhabitants he was directly and indirectly, responsible for killing, torturing and enslaving. Since we are a country founded upon freedom, liberty and democracy, does Christopher Columbus deserve to have a national holiday? I leave this question for you to decide

Article Link: You Guys...

I think that this holiday should be removed, its just wrong and racial, also i think that during higher grades, the truth should be taught about these "heros" and "rolemodles" in school.

As of my last post, what do you, the forum surfers, think of this?

 

[mister_manji]

I think that you think about things way too much. They already teach the truth about Columbus in many high schools. I for one am not going to be apologetic about something I didn't do, and even my ancestors didn't do.

 

[PerveeSage]

I think with war, racisim, failing economy, failing healthcare, failing education system, broken borders, rampant std rates, rampant youth pregnancy rates, and many more problems contributing to the downfall of the USA, we have too much important stuff to worry about to even consider discussing removing a holliday which gives us a collective sigh by having an extra day off.

Thread fails.

 

[Gaawa-chan]

Article Link: You Guys...

I think that this holiday should be removed, its just wrong and racial, also i think that during higher grades, the truth should be taught about these "heros" and "rolemodles" in school.

As of my last post, what do you, the forum surfers, think of this?

... I learned all of this in my 'higher grades' as you call them... but then, that depends upon what year you're talking about. I learned about Columbus in... oh, 6th or 7th grade, I think.
... I thought most people knew that Columbus was a bastard... ah, well...
So... the article wasn't very interesting to me. but meh...

So, if this holiday is removed, what can we do to replace it...? How about, "Wuggies Day."

Forgive me, but if anyone thinks Columbus and co were good people, they need a reality check. So, I find it hard to take this seriously because it's so... obvious.

Meh...

 

[Tsukiyomi]

Columbus was the main reason the europeans starting coming over in large numbers.

The fact that he wasn't the very first here is very well known and is being taught to school children now.

 

[Toby]

First of all, before you post an article about something in the news section, read the rules. This is not a news-article, but a political article which begs for discussion. Therefore it should be here in the debate-thread.

Personally I cannot speak for Americans, but there is no doubt that Columbus, aside from being a discoverer, did bring a lot of trouble with him to the new lands of discovery. Back in the day, though, this was quite acceptable. When times have changed we tend to look back at our own history from a new pair of spectacles, and if Americans find this so disturbing then they must certainly do something about it.

 

[Saufsoldat]

They should rather make a viking day, since the vikings were the first to come to america from europe

 

[AbnormallyNormal]

wow i am taking a class on latin american history so i know all about this. i think if you go back and realize the roots of all our "holy days" you will be pretty disgusted when applying contemporary moral and intellectual views, this is not a unique thing

 

[Psycho]

exact sciences, human sciences with the exception of psycology and opinion-realated issues, and all other studies that do not involve opinions, just things that are unchangeble

 

[Psallo a Cappella]

I have learned the "truth about Columbus" in the "upper grades", and frankly, who cares? Is it really so shocking and unbelievable that people were taking over / being cruel to other people, that he took hold of those who were innocent and could not understand? It happened (and still happens) in every country.

Let me know when American books begin routinely teaching the gory details of Nanjing Datusha; then, we can be lectured on the American holidays dedicated to the americans that my country was founded on, because the former makes Columbus seem absolutely tame in comparison. The former was a frightening, disgusting act that was hidden for years and still is not even discussed, and yet it was basically a vicious holocaust. You are disgusted by a handful of men treating another handful of men horribly, perhaps killing them, yes, but no one seems to blink an eye at the Chinese that were lined upon the banks of the Yangtze and SHOT INTO IT, picked off one by one?

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[AbnormallyNormal]

I have learned the "truth about Columbus" in the "upper grades", and frankly, who cares? Is it really so shocking and unbelievable that people were taking over / being cruel to other people, that he took hold of those who were innocent and could not understand? It happened (and still happens) in every country.

Let me know when American books begin routinely teaching the gory details of Nanjing Datusha; then, we can be lectured on the American holidays dedicated to the americans that my country was founded on, because the former makes Columbus seem absolutely tame in comparison. The former was a frightening, disgusting act that was hidden for years and still is not even discussed, and yet it was basically a vicious holocaust. You are disgusted by a handful of men treating another handful of men horribly, perhaps killing them, yes, but no one seems to blink an eye at the Chinese that were lined upon the banks of the Yangtze and SHOT INTO IT, picked off one by one?

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

you mean the nanjing massacres or rape of peking and all that stuff japan did to china in the 1930's/1940's? its pretty well known in USA that japan did terrible atrocities to china during their invasion

 

[Fonz_Kakashi]

I think with war, racisim, failing economy, failing healthcare, failing education system, broken borders, rampant std rates, rampant youth pregnancy rates, and many more problems contributing to the downfall of the USA, we have too much important stuff to worry about to even consider discussing removing a holliday which gives us a collective sigh by having an extra day off.

Thread fails.

Haha. Pretty much just owned this thread. (No offense to OP )

 

[makeoutparadise]

There is a diffrence between learning something and Learning the truth

 

[AbnormallyNormal]

There is a diffrence between learning something and Learning the truth

the word 'learning' has a positive value connotation. it implies that you are growing in a good way, and that there isnt a trade-off involved (like you can only remember so many facts so if you get more, you have to lose some; learning implies you can permanently acquire more and more and that they're all true)

 

[Pilaf]

Columbus day is an even bigger joke than both of the Jesus days.

 

[fieryfalcon]

They should teach the full truth and not some politically correct fantasy that Columbus was just an innocent explorer OR the other politically correct fantasy of the nobel native who was a completely innocent victim of evil Europeans. Schools should also probably point out that the nomadic way of life was holding humanity back and was destined to be abolished by someone.

 

[AbnormallyNormal]

They should teach the full truth and not some politically correct fantasy that Columbus was just an innocent explorer OR the other politically correct fantasy of the nobel native who was a completely innocent victim of evil Europeans. Schools should also probably point out that the nomadic way of life was holding humanity back and was destined to be abolished by someone.

yeah this is good point

balance is requisite for impartial history

but "holy days" are all about partying acting like a goofball not history obviously