Each year on the 14th of October, Americans monumentalize the discoverer of the land where they are lived today, Christopher Columbus but under their flag few horror voyages and the other face of Columbus that is still kept hidden, that may change your thesis about Columbus and maybe you might hate him.
During his voyages, Columbus threatened the Taínos people, which usher in the mass killing of innocent people and because of this brutal behavior, most Americans hates him. After his tremendous contribution, Columbus is also known for his abuse of power but for a long time ago, his other side has been lost in history books and substituted with narratives from the colonizers. This was especially the case concerning the Arawaks and Taínos peoples in the Caribbean.
In his teenage, Columbus started his first maritime voyage but his first voyage didn’t go too far until the ship was attacked by Privateers. As the ship attacked, Columbus sailed to the Portuguese shore where he began to create his strategy for western dominance.
Columbus introduced his strategy to the Spanish monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella who had the same desire for fame and wealth as same as Columbus. Along with the lust for fame, the monarch had the lust to extend Catholicism to the wider area. Columbus set sail for the new world and carried about with him a new age of truth and lies, on Aug. 3, 1492,
When he first reached Hispaniola, he saw a large population of the Tiano people. He considers them as a threat at first look, but after he met them he didn’t get them as a threat but called them “kind and generous people”, in his diary, who freely traded their jewelry and food. They do not carry arms or know them … They should be good servants.”
Later on, Columbus forced the Tainos people to serve them or if they won’t so the punishment would be torture or murder. The brutality such as mass killing, floggings, and rape of Taino women show the barbarity of Columbus and his fellows.
Despite his discovery, people shouldn’t ignore the barbarity of Columbus and his fellows imposed upon the Tainos people. Because his action only imagined his will of economic gain that’s why in his voyage he eliminate the centuries-old culture of the Indigenous Americans. While most Americans, the states of Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona, and Vermont, joined the increasing list to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
Dr. Leo Killsback, assistant professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University and member of the Northern Cheyenne Nation said that Indigenous Peoples Day represents a shift in consciousness. He added that it acknowledges that indigenous peoples and their voices are important in today’s conversations
While some authors still praise Columbus for his contribution, In an essay titled, “Honoring Christopher Columbus,” Warren Carol honors Columbus, despite his flaws.
Carol said that Christopher Columbus is the discoverer of America and by that discovery ultimately accountable for America’s evangelization, and this we should praise him.
If we can’t call him a villain as his discoveries changed the World but we shouldn’t also call him a hero because he did many brutal things in his life just to get his lust.
