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Should we continue to celebrate Christopher Columbus as a hero, or does his legacy perpetuate harmful ideologies and discrimination?

Araminta Pash

Personally, I believe that it is time for us to reevaluate the way we celebrate Christopher Columbus. While he is often considered a great explorer and a hero, his legacy is far more complicated than that. In fact, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that Columbus did more harm than good, perpetuating harmful ideologies and discrimination that are still felt to this day.

First and foremost, it is important to remember that Columbus was not the first person to discover America. In fact, he never even set foot on the mainland of North America. Instead, he landed on an island in the Caribbean, where he and his crew proceeded to enslave and murder the native people. This behavior was not uncommon for Columbus or other European explorers in the Americas, and it led to the decimation of entire populations.

Furthermore, Columbus's legacy has perpetuated harmful ideologies and discrimination against indigenous people. For example, the Columbus Day holiday has been used as a way to celebrate white settlers and colonialism, while ignoring the vast contributions of indigenous people to American society. In fact, many cities and states have moved away from celebrating Columbus Day in recent years, instead choosing to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day.

While it is true that Columbus did make significant contributions to navigation and exploration, it is important that we acknowledge the harmful impact of his actions. By continuing to celebrate him as a hero, we are perpetuating harmful narratives and ignoring the very real harm that he and other European explorers inflicted on native people.

In conclusion, I believe that it is time for us to reconsider the way we celebrate Christopher Columbus. While his contributions to history cannot be ignored, we must also acknowledge the very real harm that he caused. By moving away from glorifying Columbus and instead recognizing the contributions of indigenous people, we can work towards a more inclusive and just society.