Interests? And in general, we want to students to engage with controversy. To realize this dream, they split up. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. It was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that designated the second Monday of October (Columbus Day) as a national holiday in 1971. Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . Unfortunately, many irksome doings lay deep under the surface. But by then he was hardly the first European. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. 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. 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. Or better yet, follow him. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. The next obvious question is: well, if thats not his name, what were the names of his famous ships? By 1516, there were 12,000. Columbuss men also killed off slaves whenever needed. (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! A main argument for the idealization of the 15th century explorer is the idea that he was the first European to discover the Americas. Indigenous Peoples Day: Why it's replacing Columbus Day in many places. He initiated a turning point in our history. It involves grappling with multiple perspectives, a fundamental skill for historians. Congress also believed the holiday would mark the contribution of immigrants to the United States. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . 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. Many states celebrate both. Yet, despite all the gruesome sacrifice and slavery, some still wish to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. The American Indian Movement, among other groups, have gone as far as to state that the continuous celebration of this holiday is oppressive towards Native Americans. 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. 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 . In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. original papers. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 1. Within the Italian community, Columbus Day symbolizes the legacy of their ancestors who immigrated to America, overcame poverty, language barriers, and above all, discrimination. The Lefts hatred of Columbus is predicated on the idea that he represents the tyrannical, western force that colonized the Americas at the expense of those already living here. 4. Poll shows most Americans want to celebrate Columbus Day. 'Green Card Warrior' Nick Adams weighs in on 'Fox & Friends First.'. Why is he important? In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. matter in the end. 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. 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Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. . For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. . I dont think that we should start childrens education by saying that the country is built on the genocide of a group and the enslavement of another. Christopher Columbus wasnt American! Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. Like most Americans, I learned in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Ingrained in my mind are the names of his ships: The Nina, The Pinta and the Santa Maria. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. Religion was heavily forced upon the Native American tribes, and the Europeans means of dealing with their obstacles run much more inhumane. A genocide happened in "the Americas," and it began with Columbus. Along and through History, conquerors have had violent behaviour. Destiny is currently enrolled in Columbia University's MFA Writing program. Our writers can help you with any type of essay. But I think considering the fact that Columbus also enslaved a group of people who were otherwise peaceful to him should be noted. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And Bart was left behind on the cutting room floor of history. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. If the commemorations dealt at all with the impact of European exploration on the indigenous civilizations already flourishing in these discovered lands, it was often fleeting. Ahh, well, brothers will be brothers. When Columbus first landed on American soil he was met by the Arawak native Americans. So, yes, in 1498 and 1502, he did reach the continental Americas. Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. 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. 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. Please follow him or give him some claps please be sure thats in the plural if you enjoyed this. Don't know where to start? And its fundamentally important that they do so. 1. Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. 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. There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. The Andy Griffith Show Remains a Masterclass in Leadership and Life, Births in Japan Fall to Record Low Amid Catastrophic Population Decline, Foretelling Worlds Future. 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. Spanish conquistadors couldn't believe their eyes while exploring the rugged terrain of the Andes during their invasion of Peru. The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). He decimated the native population. The holiday celebrates . Christopher Columbus may have been a daring adventurer but he is not someone we want our kids to think of as a hero or role model. Columbus Undertook Adventure for God and Country, After Columbus returned to Spain from his first voyage to the Americas in 1493, he wrote this in his letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: They manifest the greatest affection towards all of us, exchanging valuable things for trifles, content with the very least thing or nothing at all. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! Published: October 7, 2021 8.23am EDT Updated: October 7, 2021 9.53am EDT. We still have to understand the time he was born but Christopher Columbus. Bring them to the light, if you would. They also show evidence that at least 12 other groups of people entered the Americas before Columbus. uknow@gse.harvard.edu Its the responsibility of our school system to talk about Columbus as part of our work to prepare students to be citizens. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. Here are my main reasons why I refuse to celebrate Columbus Day: 1. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? By REAGAN ESCUD SCOTT / Monday, October 10, 2022. Of course, I learned that everyone expected him to sail off the edge of a flat earth into space or sea monsters or something. Sorry, Mr. Hence, the inducement cited above.). And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? They would make fine servants. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. Here are three reasons we shouldn't celebrate Columbus Day, as a country. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. Though it has its controversies, Columbus day should be celebrated. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. 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.. SHOULD CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BE CELEBRATED? Now theres a deed worth celebrating every year! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Lets stop idolizing people in history who dont deserve it. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. 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. Here Are Some Reasons Why. While there is plenty to criticize about Columbus, and what followed his arrival, I think this movement is missing the point. Of course, Christopher Columbus was Italian, and his day . Columbus did not discover America, but his voyages began the Columbian exchange, a turning point in world history involving the massive transfers of human populations, cultures, ideas, animals, plants, and diseases. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. Marist shows that even with all of the attacks on Columbus, 57 percent of Americans believe it's. Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. In fact, that might have been a good neighbor, whereas today That neighbor would find themselves in jail. 1. Columbus day is a national holiday that many countries (not all) in the USA celebrate to mark the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Right now, across the country, cities and schools are faced with the question, Should we celebrate Columbus? Were facing similar questions about how we commemorate the confederacy and the Civil War. In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. Who Destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria? Consider how the first Columbus Day parade in New York was described in the newspapers. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. An angry mob decided to drag them. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. This was due to the impression that Columbus was attempting to spread Catholic influence. Mettler earned his Bachelors degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldnt have a day where we glorify someone who hurt and enslaved innocent people (Native Americans) and because he destroyed the tranquility in the slaves homes and land with genocide and abuse. Growing up, I wasn't exposed to this truth. Despite the time that has passed, Columbus Day still remains a subject that most people would rather not think about. 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. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. And thats even if you discount the fact that native peoples lived in these places all along. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. Columbus Day was supposed to recognize the greatness of all of America's people, but especially Italians and Native Americans. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. Historical Figures Should Be Viewed in Light of Their Greatest Achievements, Not Their Worst Mistakes. With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? But heres the kicker. 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. It involves really unpacking the past, looking for complications, and making a deep exploration into the people that made history happen, rather than just looking for a glossy overview. Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer by Staff Reports The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. See how Columbus Day actually become a holiday and find out who celebrates it. It is on public record, that Columbus rewarded his soldiers by giving them Native Americans to rape. Contrary to popular belief, Columbus Day is a celebration of diversity, not oppression. Although Columbus Day remains a national holiday, given the criticism surrounding the day, some states and cities have opted to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. 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. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. And Im not one to turn down a national holiday for a day off work! 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. She likes thrifting, romance novels, cooking shows, and can often be found binging documentaries. 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. 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