#christophercolombus

By Ariel Dolen

https://www.denverpost.com/2016/01/20/legislation-would-replace-columbus-day-state-holiday-in-colorado/

     Growing up, many of us were taught that Christopher Columbus was the valiant explorer who discovered America and befriended the Indigenous Peoples of the land. We were taught to praise him for his supposed heroism while coloring in a 5th grade stencil of him holding hands with Native American tribes - smiles on all of their faces. It is becoming more prevalent, however, that this is proven to be a terribly false narrative.

     Whether you idolize Columbus or not, it is impossible to ignore the uprising resistance against Columbus Day. From social media posts to protests to cities such as Los Angeles “re-imagining” the infamous holiday, the push back is significant, and understandably so. For Native Americans, this is a day of mourning. Columbus can very well be the physical representation of colonization to some. Especially to those whose ancestors were directly affected by European colonization, disease, and slave-trade. 

      “This historically problematic holiday has made an increasing number of people wince, given the enslavement and genocide of Native American people that followed in the wake of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria,”  Yvonne Zipp writes.

     There are people, though, who claim to have important reason to celebrate Columbus Day - Italian-Americans. The Italian explorer, in their eyes, paved the way for immigration and the search for the “American Dream.” But there still is an enormous problem with this argument - it is tone deaf. Was the genocide and extinction of tribes across stolen land worth the “American Dream”? A dream that in and of itself is as false a narrative as the concept of Columbus being best friends with Indigenous Peoples?

     Understandably, everyone wants to celebrate their background and heritage, it is important to know where your family has come from. So, perhaps, Italian-Americans should consider focusing their celebration on themselves, on their ancestors. Sure, Columbus may have been part of the reason as to why Italians were able to immigrate, but why not just instead focus on those who made the plight? Don’t let a colonizing murderer represent your culture, your ancestors are the brave ones that deserve the praise. Councilman Mike Bonin, at the Los Angeles City Council’s public hearing, perfectly sums this up:

European Precursors to Slavery- Spain: The Colombus aid terms of exploration 

Who participated in making this legal? Fernando de Aragon and Isabel de Castilla (King and queen of Spain at the time)

What did the terms say? Columbus promised the monarchs of Spain riches and conversion of the natives to Catholicism in exchange for them financing his trip, including a crew, three ships (named Pinta, Niña, and Santa Maria), and provisions.

Where was this made law? The kingdom of Spain

When was it made law? Christopher Columbus reached the American continent in the islands of the Antilles in October 1492, so the deal had to be ratified months prior to this date.

How it affected people? The “discovery” of Colombus eventually led to the massive establishment of the Atlantic Slave Trade and the Middle Passage, non-counting all the suffering Africans endured both on, and outside the British, Spanish, and Portuguese colonies.

Why is it important for the topic & African American history?

Colombus did not return from his voyages to America with the riches the monarchs of Spain probably expected, but the repercussions of those trips made Spain the superpower of Europe at the time. This supports the notion that the reason slavery was sustained as long as it did in many countries was that it was financially sustainable, as inhumane and brutal as it was, and still is in some parts of the world.