Columbus undeserving of holiday

Columbus Day passed, and we were forced to celebrate a half-truth. As a 10th grader, I appreciate honoring extraordinary individuals to look up to, and it's undeniable that Christopher Columbus connected the Old World with a new one. However, society accepts this apocryphal narration without learning the frequently omitted facts, namely, the horrifying acts of bigotry and villainy Columbus executed and oversaw. Even before he reached San Salvador, Columbus committed his first offense, pocketing the money he had promised to the first man able to discern land. Immediately after disembarking, Columbus recorded that the Taino Indians present were sweet and naive, and would therefore make proficient servants. Months after he abducted them and crashed into Hispaniola, Columbus attempted to govern the natives until revolt stirred. He then left his brother Diego to handle the situation and withdrew to explore. During this time, conditions in Hispaniola became chaotic, and complaints of tyranny eventually led to his arrest. Before granting him a fourth mission, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella shipped Columbus back to Spain in chains.

October 11, 2012