Yesterday was a U.S. national holiday, observed annually on the second Monday in October. Since this holiday was declared in 1934, we are learning disturbing things about Christopher Columbus, the holiday's namesake. On a positive note, he was greedy and ruthless. Then it all goes downhill. He kidnapped hundreds of people, dealt in child prostitution, murdered indigenous people.
All of this was written in his own journals and logs. In the 1500's Columbus was forcibly taken to Spain to face charges for "crimes against humanity." None of this conjecture, all on the record.
What is the matter with me? Why would I write such things? Why am I trying to upset people? Columbus was a hero. He sailed a yacht-sized ship through uncharted waters. He was brave and strong. His character is not relevant. Let history read the way it has been written.
We can call the people who would dare to write a post as this delusional; someone who obviously hates America and does not care that people enjoy three-day weekends.
The truth shall set you free. As long as you believe it.
Even as a kid, I thought the Christopher Columbus stuff was hard to figure. He proved that the earth is round? Sooo, he was a scientist? No. He was an explorer? No, not really. He was looking for a new route to India to get gold and silk. Okaaay, what did that have to do with little elementary school kids in the 1950's and 60's? We could all relate to the Fourth of July, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But Christopher and his ships seemed pretty irrelevant. I think some of us kind of thought about it as kind of a pre-Thanksgiving part of history. There is no reason to hold Christopher Columbus as a hero. No reason now, no reason then. Let's keep the Monday holiday, though, and call it Fall Fest or Harvest Time or Welcome Frosty Mornings.
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