Why Do We Celebrate Columbus Day
Columbus Day
It’s hard to decipher where the lines of justice, pride, and arrogance lie and when they are crossed; however, humane treatment and respect - whether that be self-respect or respect for others - is black and white. Columbus day is a holiday in which Americans celebrate a man who is not even an American, but better yet the Spanish-acclaimed Viceroy and Governor of the Indies and Admiral of the Seas who overpowered and subjected a whole land of natives to succumb to his rule, follow his religion and traditions, and be brutally beat while being forced into slavery. Although his ability to assume power and instill fear into these people so quickly may be admirable, he is not a figure that deserves the respect …show more content…
Columbus simply saw these indigenous people as an obstacle in his pursuit of riches and glory, and treated them as such. The natives did have their practices of violence and brutality in which other humans were sacrificed to their native Gods or means of punishment were rather severe, but this did not beckon or welcome the brutality inculcated by Christopher Columbus and the rest of his team. Even more interestingly, Columbus’ writings back to Spain made himself sound very respectful and appreciative of the indians; however, after further inspection, Columbus’ malice shows through even what appears to be kindness and gratuity. In his log kept about the New World, he writes that these indigenous people are of the kindest, best people, and that he told his men to take nothing from them without giving them something in return. This, at first glance, seems like an exhibit of kindness, yet the Spaniards never gave back anything of equal value to the indians. Columbus discusses how he would receive very gracious, generous gifts from the indigenous people -knowing and acknowledging that they were very poor people-, and return it with a gift of no more value than that of a
It’s hard to decipher where the lines of justice, pride, and arrogance lie and when they are crossed; however, humane treatment and respect - whether that be self-respect or respect for others - is black and white. Columbus day is a holiday in which Americans celebrate a man who is not even an American, but better yet the Spanish-acclaimed Viceroy and Governor of the Indies and Admiral of the Seas who overpowered and subjected a whole land of natives to succumb to his rule, follow his religion and traditions, and be brutally beat while being forced into slavery. Although his ability to assume power and instill fear into these people so quickly may be admirable, he is not a figure that deserves the respect …show more content…
Columbus simply saw these indigenous people as an obstacle in his pursuit of riches and glory, and treated them as such. The natives did have their practices of violence and brutality in which other humans were sacrificed to their native Gods or means of punishment were rather severe, but this did not beckon or welcome the brutality inculcated by Christopher Columbus and the rest of his team. Even more interestingly, Columbus’ writings back to Spain made himself sound very respectful and appreciative of the indians; however, after further inspection, Columbus’ malice shows through even what appears to be kindness and gratuity. In his log kept about the New World, he writes that these indigenous people are of the kindest, best people, and that he told his men to take nothing from them without giving them something in return. This, at first glance, seems like an exhibit of kindness, yet the Spaniards never gave back anything of equal value to the indians. Columbus discusses how he would receive very gracious, generous gifts from the indigenous people -knowing and acknowledging that they were very poor people-, and return it with a gift of no more value than that of a