Embrace opportunity to do better

To the editor:

On Monday, many towns and cities celebrated Columbus Day.

Some communities instead used this day to commemorate the histories and cultures of Native American peoples by celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Columbus Day recognizes Christopher Columbus for “discovering” America. Like most people, I know now that he never reached mainland North America — but what’s important is that his journeys did kick off centuries of exploration on the American continents. But these expeditions also kicked off centuries of exploitation in the New World.

The “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” movement sees Christopher Columbus as a symbol of destruction, not something to be celebrated. While debatable, there is some accuracy to this mindset.

Howard Zinn, in “A People’s History of the United States,” writes that Columbus ordered all of the natives over the age of 14 in the province of Cicao on Haiti to collect a certain quantity of gold every three months. Those who didn’t meet this quota “had their hands cut off and bled to death.” In two years, the Arawak Indians on Haiti had their population reduced to half of the original 250,000 inhabitants, through murder, mutilation and suicide. By 1650, “none of the original Arawaks or their descendants were left on the island.”

A priest named Bartolome de las Casas, who actively participated in the conquest of Cuba, chronicled these acts of savagery. “Endless testimonies … prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives … But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy … The admiral (Columbus), it is true, was blind as those who came after him, and he was so anxious to please the king that he committed irreparable crimes against the Indians …” Zinn writes. “When we read the history books given to children in the United States, it all starts with heroic adventure — there is no bloodshed — and Columbus Day is a celebration.”

So who is really re-writing history? Who is not telling the truth?

We say, “That’s just how it was back then.” When will we quit using that defense to justify atrocities in our past? Are we comfortable when other countries use it to justify their behaviors today? Maybe that’s just how it is (right now) in their land, in their culture. Can we quit being so selfish as to condone evil behaviors in the name of progress, in the name of history?

No, I’m not trying to change history. No matter what you call this day, the same events will still have happened. It won’t be like a movie in which the past will change and lead to a different future. However, giving this day a different name may force us to explore the truth about this history, may allow us to recognize that it was not among our finer moments. Recognition may force us to take a deep look at our ancestors and ourselves and allow us to change how we observe this day.

“Decoration Day,” first observed in 1868, honored the Civil War dead. After World War I, we renamed it “Memorial Day” in order to honor those who died in all U.S. wars. We changed the name, we changed what we observed, but we didn’t change the history.

Some may say I am a “snowflake” (too sensitive, emotional and easily offended). What about those who resist the movement towards a more inclusive and tolerant culture? Aren’t they being just as sensitive to challenges to their norms and standards? Maybe they’re the “snowflakes”?

What is the harm of changing the name of this holiday? Call it Indigenous Peoples’ Day and let’s teach our children the truth. Celebrate the passion for exploration — although historical texts show that he was really in it for the fame and fortune — of Columbus. Also, recognize how the early explorers treated the native peoples and how it affected this continent.

Let it be a lesson, if but a little late, of the need to respect those who are different. Use it to teach us to face the truth about our history — and not be scared — but rather to embrace it as an opportunity to improve.

Much obliged,

Craig Ragland

Portland