Columbus Day...

Rawr08 · October 2010

I work in an environment that does not celebrate (aka: no holiday pay)Columbus Day. I can see both sides of the coin, but I am wondering what you guys think. I just watched THIS on FB and would like your opinion. I feel like everything has happened, why mull over the past. I also would wonder what it would be like if Columbus never ventured over here. Where would I be? I am a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason" and I don't have many regrets in my life - because it all brought me to where I am now.

So tell me, what do you think?

itsmegin · October 2010

I think America gets a lot more condemnation for things that ALL countries did in the past. Yes it was wrong no matter who else was doing it but most countries committed atrocities in the past, while some continue to do so.

The whole world has evolved morally to the point where we know slavery and imperialism are wrong, and we continue to evolve and eliminate some of the horrible crimes and injustices that were commonplace in the past.

Maybe Columbus shouldn't be celebrated, and it would be great to have a day or more to recognize and celebrate the indigenous people and the injustices they suffered, but Columbus alone shouldn't become a villified scapegoat for the worldwide practice of colonization, imperialism and slavery.

Rawr08 · October 2010

itsmegin:

I think America gets a lot more condemnation for things that ALL countries did in the past. Yes it was wrong no matter who else was doing it but most countries committed atrocities in the past, while some continue to do so.

The whole world has evolved morally to the point where we know slavery and imperialism are wrong, and we continue to evolve and eliminate some of the horrible crimes and injustices that were commonplace in the past.

Maybe Columbus shouldn't be celebrated, and it would be great to have a day or more to recognize and celebrate the indigenous people and the injustices they suffered, but Columbus alone shouldn't become a villified scapegoat for the worldwide practice of colonization, imperialism and slavery.

Oh so very well said!

martinimomma · October 2010

I'm with itsmegin on this one.

ColindaP · October 2010

This is why in Latin America it's called Dia de la Raza, and it celebrates the native heritages that were for the most part lost when Columbus and crew arrived and started their genocidal rampage through the continent.

But history is written by the winners, and so there is also Columbus Day. Columbus, and his successors (and actually his successors more than him), changed history so much more than so many other historical figures, but at a great price. I see nothing wrong with recognizing what was lost alongside with recognizing what happened and the course of history it has shaped. Thanks to the Spanish, the Southern Cone produces the world's best beef, lamb and horses. But their native populations are almost gone, the vestiges of them destroyed. Thanks to the Spanish, there's a rich and fascinating Afro-Caribbean culture in the Caribbean countries, but only because of the slave trade.

I mean, Columbus was a ballsy explorer, but a hero he was not.

On a somewhat related note, check out this Eddie Izzard clip, it's hilarious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEx5G-GOS1k 

e_uecker · October 2010

itsmegin:

I think America gets a lot more condemnation for things that ALL countries did in the past. Yes it was wrong no matter who else was doing it but most countries committed atrocities in the past, while some continue to do so.

The whole world has evolved morally to the point where we know slavery and imperialism are wrong, and we continue to evolve and eliminate some of the horrible crimes and injustices that were commonplace in the past.

Maybe Columbus shouldn't be celebrated, and it would be great to have a day or more to recognize and celebrate the indigenous people and the injustices they suffered, but Columbus alone shouldn't become a villified scapegoat for the worldwide practice of colonization, imperialism and slavery.

I agree with this. I think it's well said, and better then I would put it. Mine would probably be flame worthy.

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