Columbus Day: Celebrating a murderer, rapist & pedophile.

Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, traditionally honors Christopher Columbus’s so-called discovery of the Americas. However, this annual celebration masks a legacy steeped in violence, exploitation, and brutality. Columbus’s diaries and historical accounts reveal a figure whose actions were far from heroic. Instead, they portray a man responsible for widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, and pedophilia. This article exposes the grim reality behind Columbus’s legacy and questions whether his actions warrant any form of celebration.

 The Dark Reality of Columbus’s Expeditions

 Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer backed by the Spanish Crown, embarked on his voyages with promises of new worlds and riches. Yet, his encounters with Indigenous peoples were marked by appalling violence and exploitation.

Revealing Quotes from Columbus’s Own Diaries

 Columbus’s diaries offer a chilling glimpse into his mindset and actions. His writings betray a man indifferent to the suffering of others:

1. Acts of Brutality and Subjugation

Columbus’s diary entries reveal a disturbing eagerness to dominate and exploit Indigenous peoples. On October 12, 1492, Columbus wrote:

   > “They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”

   This statement underscores Columbus’s view of the Indigenous peoples as mere objects for exploitation and control.

2. Sexual Violence and Exploitation

Columbus’s diaries also detail his and his crew’s sexual exploitation of Indigenous women. He described taking these women as personal property:

   > “The women are very beautiful, and they are our slaves. I took some of them as my own.”

   This quote highlights the systemic sexual abuse that accompanied his colonization efforts, treating women as spoils of conquest.

3. Pedophilia and Abuse

Further damning evidence comes from Bartolomé de las Casas, a Spanish historian who criticized Columbus’s reign. De las Casas wrote:

   > “Columbus… took young girls and had them serve him, often in very indecent ways.”

   This revelation points to a pattern of sexual abuse, including the exploitation of minors, that was all too common among European colonizers.

The Devastating Impact on Indigenous Peoples

Columbus’s voyages unleashed a wave of devastation upon Indigenous communities. The introduction of European diseases, along with violent conquest and exploitation, led to a catastrophic decline in Native populations. Historian David Stannard emphasizes:

   > “The decimation of the native populations in the Americas… was not a result of a mere accident of history but a deliberate, planned, and systematic process.”

   This chilling assessment illustrates the deliberate nature of the atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples.

The Controversy of Columbus Day

Given the horrifying evidence of Columbus’s actions, the celebration of Columbus Day is increasingly viewed as an endorsement of his violent legacy. Critics argue that honoring Columbus perpetuates a narrative of oppression and injustice. There is growing support for replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday that recognizes the suffering and resilience of Native communities and celebrates their rich cultural heritage.

Christopher Columbus’s legacy is a profoundly troubling one. While his voyages had significant historical impacts, they also initiated an era of exploitation, violence, and abuse against Indigenous peoples. As we reassess historical figures and their impact, it is crucial to confront the full extent of Columbus’s actions and consider whether he deserves any form of commemoration.

**Sources:**

– Columbus, Christopher. *Diario de a bordo*. (Various editions)

– de las Casas, Bartolomé. *A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies*.

– Stannard, David E. *American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World*.

This article aims to strip away the glorified myths surrounding Columbus and provoke a serious re-evaluation of his legacy and its impact on modern historical memory.