But let's set the historical record straight.[Emphasis mine, please note xtianity.]
Hundreds of thousands of indigenous Taino Indians were raped, murdered, and forced into brutal slavery as a result of Columbus' conquest. Much of the Taino population fell to new diseases such as smallpox. Extinction is all that remains of the Taino today.
Those who like to honor Columbus would have us believe that bringing up the darker side of the explorer is an attempt to blow the man's memory off course.
But these facts of genocide and land theft are not part of a revisionist, false history. In his own words spelled, out in his personal diary, Columbus acknowledged his scheme to subjugate the Taino Indians: "I could conquer the whole of them with 50 men, and govern them as I pleased."
Columbus' men rounded up 1,500 people and selected 500 as slaves to be shipped off to Spain. Two hundred died en route. This did not deter Columbus, who, according to historian Howard Zinn, later wrote: "Let us in the name of the Holy Trinity go on sending all the slaves that can be sold."
Say it out loud to anyone who tries to say otherwise.
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2 comments:
Say it true Sista!
Many of us natives wonder why we celebrate a man who got lost, then ruined a whole land masses First Nation people! Thanks for telling it true!
Kamrin
Kamrin, I wish I had been one of millions of voices yesterday. This may have been a hidden thing when I was growing up. It has been known for a very long time now and it is outrageous that the day is still kept as a holiday.
Nevermind, it didn't shut me up.
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