It is important to acknowledge the many faults of Columbus and not celebrate him. Despite being a fallible human, he made numerous mistakes and failed to learn from them. One of his major errors was his participation in the slave trade. When he first arrived in the Caribbean with his crew, Columbus captured six “Indians” to be enslaved and sent back to Ferdinand and Isabella.
The men resorted to using brute force to work on their plantations or mines until the indigenous people died from overexertion. Moreover, they sent numerous individuals back to Spain as slaves for the wealthy, resulting in the deaths of many during the journey. Overall, these actions may be regarded as Columbus’ gravest mistake. Another reprehensible act was the violation of native women. Christopher not only permitted but encouraged rape in the Americas. The crew members often targeted young girls between the ages of 9 and 10. In fact, Columbus detailed this in his diary, stating, “A endured castellated are easily obtained for a woman as for a farm, and It Is very general and there are plenty of dealers who go about looking for girls; those from nine to ten are now in demand.” It is questionable whether he truly represented Christian values, as no true Christian would endorse or engage in such despicable behavior. Additionally, Columbus exhibited appalling treatment of the native population in general. Even for minor offenses like tardiness in plantation work, natives would have their ears, noses, and hands severed and displayed around their necks as a warning.
The actions of Columbus and his crew were abominable. They resorted to killing native infants for dog food during times of scarce supplies, committing rape against native women, enslaving the locals, and even subjecting children to unprovoked physical abuse. These behaviors shed light on the character of Columbus and his crew. Given all these facts, is it justifiable to honor Columbus without acknowledging his flaws? Why should we commemorate a man who played a role in murder and rape? Personally, I firmly believe he does not warrant celebration. In contemporary society, if Columbus were alive today, he would likely face capital punishment for his crimes.
After discussing my viewpoint on Christopher Columbus, I am interested in hearing your opinion. Although there are those who argue that he accomplished notable achievements, it is crucial to recognize the horrific acts he committed. Numerous individuals believe that his actions, including murdering infants for sustenance, sexually assaulting native women, and enslaving indigenous populations, reveal a darker aspect of his legacy. Taking these factors into account, how do you perceive Christopher Columbus?
