Most history is written from the European prospective. Europeans want to portray themselves as the "good guys" in their book they write about them. When you wrtite about yourself, you want to be seen in a good light. They leave out of truth and other points of intrests. Native Americans are (in my opinion) poorly portrayed or not enough information is given. Columbus is not a favorite person in the Native community. Actually, orginazational groups are trying to abolish Columbus day. He is considered by many Native American groups as the first "terrorist" in this country. Columbus is considered the one who started genocide of the Native Americans. So why would we want to celebrate this guy? Or the Virginias' 400 year anniversary this year? Maybe you can see (or hope)why this might be politically inncorrect?
When colonies started forming, they consisted of the English, French and Bristish. These are people coming from a different country coming over here to live and start a "new"life. This is still happening to this day. The American Govenment are dealing with this issue right now, called Immigration. I watch on CNN or any news channel people picketing and yelling telling people, " Go Back to your own coutry!" These people yelling look like European decent. Do these people realize that their own anecstors were Immigrants too.
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I don't understand how Columbus sarted the genocide of native americans. He came to the Americas with 120 men, many of which were malnurished and uncapable of exerting the force to fight any large opposition. Yes, he was the first European to reach the new land and killing did ensue, but to say he is responsible for the slaughetering of natives is unfair.
I agree that Columbus triggered the genocide of many Native Americans. According to “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn, the Arawak Indians living in the Bahamas where enslaved and killed by Columbus’ men for the sake of gold. According to Zinn, on Columbus’ second expedition to the Bahamas he was provided with 17 ships and over 1200 men, more than enough to cause genocide of the Arawaks.
We all know that Columbus did not personally kill the Indians. He came here representing his country. He definitely is the 'precursor' of what was to come. "He opens the Door to European Invasion of the Americas."
http://www.danielnpaul.com/ChristopherColumbus.html
I believe that Columbus is celebrated because of the aura that surrounded his story of exploration and his willingness to take risks for something he believed in (yes, part of his motivation was profit). His story has common qualities that many Americans strongly believe in and feel is what defines us as a nation. If we were to view any point in history through a perfect politically corrent lens we would not like what we see.
Rachel's comments on immigration bring up important contemporary and historical issues. The current debates on immigration will be particularly pertinent in our discussions of the Mexican War later in the semester.
Sean's comment on national identity is particularly useful in thinking about the "myth" vs the "reality" of U.S. history. What risks and beliefs are held up as models and are they at the expense of other groups of people and ideals - perpetuating a specific interpretation of history?
While I wouldn't go as far as calling Colombus a terroist, I do agree with your points that it is very sterotypical to celebrate a new culture coming to America while at the same time trying to limit other cultures.
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