Sunday, October 7, 2012
COLUMBUS DAY - A CONTROVERSIAL HOLIDAY
To Celebrate or Not
Today, Columbus Day is among the most controversial holidays in the United States. Some see Columbus as a hero, the courageous explorer whose discovery led to the settlement of North and South America. Others see him as a villain, a ruthless conqueror whose discovery led the the destruction of countless Native American people and cultures. (Quoted from http://www.theholidayzone.com/columbus/language.html) Which opinion do you support and why?
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Well, that's a very difficult question and I don't even know what opinion to support, who's wrong and who's right.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, Columbus is a hero, a person who obviously deserves to be esteemed & respected for all the lands that have been opened by him, for the things he has done to make this world better-known and, what is the most important, for the huge discovery that led to the settlement of North and South America. People just can't be blind the fact Columbus was someone who made a big influence on their future and their present life, someone who was brave and wise enough to organize and take part in a voyage that opened the country they live in now, and just the land the whole planet knows as the United States of America, one of the greatest nations in the world. So, referring to all the things of the above, this date just can't be omitted like this event has never existed. Hoping all the people realize the second Monday of October is an actual date and no matter, you like it or not, Columbus Day is something that deserves everyone's attention.
But on the other hand, I do know there're so many people who describes this person as a cruel tyrant and just a ruthless identity, who's anger destroys all the good things that he did. I guess, such opinion couldn't appear out of nowhere, for no important reasons.
I've just visited a few resources in the Internet to make sure that's so. And for real, in the archives of the city of Valladolid there were found some materials of the investigation of the case of Columbus, dating to 1500 year, which "shed light on the despotic nature of this voyager." Spaniards blamed Columbus and his brothers in the incredible cruelty to the natives and the Spaniards themselves. I bet some people didn't know that before, so here is the information that can be useful for you. In reality, this talented voyager showed himself from the bad side either. This tyrant and a despot put to death, tortured and starved his own countrymen, and, at times, for no weighty reason. Columbus even killed his own in-law in a fit of anger.
But anyways, in my personal opinion, it DOES NOT cover the great discoveries done by him, it DOES NOT let people ignore such a huge even and it DOES NOT stop me respecting Columbus, he's a hero to me for his courage and thirst to the new discoveries and new perspectives.
And of course, I'd love to read more ideas by other students and to learn their points of view. That's a lovely questions and a little discussion would be healthy and suitable, I guess.
And ok, the misprints in my comment are terrible, I'm sorry! I'll be more careful next time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dasha, for expressing your opinion on this controversial topic. I'm sure, your passionate response will provoke more replies from our visitors.
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to the view that Columbus wasn't as saintly as he seems. Firstly, this man was quite narrow-minded. According to history, Columbus was a lucky thing to find out that the one who would reach India, could gain wealth and glory. Consequently, Columbus's primary objective was money. Secondly, Columbus gave rise to destroying peoples and cultures. The existence of two other continents was a mystery only for the Europeans but not for native American inhabitants. I assume, neither Columbus and his companions nor their followers intended to monopolise riches of the new lands peacefully. Moreover, the native Americans weren't mentally and physically prepared to resist the newcomers.
ReplyDeleteLittle wonder some people don't meet with the approval of the evidence above. They are attached to the idea that Columbus took a leading role in the worldwide development. But for him, our present wouldn't have been the same.
Without a fear of having a finger of doubt pointed at me, there is no way our world's evolvement could remain at the medieval level. The Renaissance doers and subsequent explorers could have contributed to our development as well. Besides, Columbus has discovered America accidentally, hasn't he?
In my personal opinion,this group of people honors the tradition,which is passed down from one generation to another.Moreover,it is an integral connection between generations.Also celebrating this holiday proves love to the country,without any doubt.The country is proud of outstanding personalities.Due to the discovery new land,America,appeared.
ReplyDeleteOther group of people disagrees with the first one,because they read history of discovering of America and found out some negative facts about the personality of Columbus.That is why it is so difficult for them to believe that he was the courageous explorer.Furthemore,they deny Columbus valuable features of character,because this group of people prefers to see only disadvantages in his character.They do not value him as a personality.
What has been discussed above is not so perfect,because it seems to me that Columbus was a strong,brave and outstanding traveller and was keen on discovering new lands.
I am in a support of this holiday. Firstly, it seems to me that the Columbus Day was created as the sign of memory of Columbus discovery. And I think that people, who live in the USA should emphasize the value of it, because he opened the country where they live now.And now we all see the most development country with a lot of resources, famous people and economic system. Secondly, I believe this day was chosen as occasions to bring both Italians and Native Americans together. And what is more, Columbus is a distinguished person in a history who made a lot not only for Americans, but for whole world. And he deserves the day when everyone appreciate him and his discoveries.
ReplyDeleteBut some people are strongly disagree with the existing of this day. And there are some facts that he killed a lot of people, was tyrant and a cruel person. Also, one more reason which causes some dissatisfactions from people is that they think this day is against indigenous people, who lived there before Columbus's discovery.
Despite these facts I still believe this day is so important for the USA and it was chosen for making people friendly and just to remembering them about the clever and brave men who gave them place to live and to develop. And they should take it regardless.
I suppose that Columbus was a hero. Of course, he is not ideal but Christopher has made a significant contribution to the exploration of the world. His voyage has proved that the Earth is round. And thanks to him a world power of the United States has appeared. Also, along with discovering the new land the country has replenished supplies of various goods.
ReplyDeleteBut on the other hand, another group of people affirm that Columbus was unpleasant man because of his selfishness and cupidity. Moreover, even his voyage was a way to earn money.
I would like to contradict the idea that is given above. I guess that it doesn’t no matter what qualities he possessed and what was the purpose of his voyage. Not looking at his character it’s impossible to ignore his achievements.
I support the opinion that it's important to celebrate this holiday.
ReplyDeleteColumbus was a brave man and perfect discoverer. With the help of his exploration we know a Rachael Taylor, Ray Bradbury, Thomas Edison and other interesting people. We can't imagine our world without Americans and their powerful country. Columbus made an important contribution to the future development of the world. In the new land people founded a lot of sorts of unknown animals and plants. It means, that his discovery of the new continent allowed people to develop their knowledge. So, I think that celebrating this holiday proves respect to the history.
From the other point of view, people don't like to celebrate this holiday. They find that Columbus was a tyrant and destroyed countless Native American people and cultures.
But I strongly disagree with this view, because nowadays America is one of most prestigious countries. I am not sure what it would be if he hadn't discovered this land. He made our world better-known.
I have watched this video about Columbus discoveries and found it helpful.
ReplyDeleteAlso I became interested in the comments of the girls.
Most of all Karina's point of view impressed me. First of all, it differs from other ones, and as for me it was the brightest, as she substantiated her opinion firmly and confidently. That's why her expressions and prooves of her way of thinking influenced me so much. I personally didn't expect to see so sharp and controversial statement. So Karina's opinion contrasts other ones. By the way, due to her I have broadened my outlook as, actually, some facts of this topic stroke me.
But other comments of the girls are interesting and amazing too, as they are full of unusual thoughts. So, I didn't spend my time in vain by reading students' minds of thinking.
While I have reading your comments, I noticed, that practically all of you consider Columbus a hero, deserving own holiday. I agree with everyone, I really liked Nastya's writing style, how she has made her structure of arguments. But I think Karina Stakhova's and Yulia Stepanova's opinions are the most objective and impartial. As they, I really understand that Columbus wasn't a wonderful hero. There were a lot of contradictory facts about his life, like his acquisitiveness and cruelty. But, of course, his discovery of America was a great event.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nastya's point of view, because I also think that Columbus was successful discoverer. He was one of the greatest explorers in the world. His discoveries have an important role in the world history. Nowadays, America is one of the greatest countries. Thanks to Christopher Columbus this country was found and exists nowadays.
ReplyDeleteOf course, all the comments are very interesting and correct. But I'm more inclined to the Nastya's point of view. Because I think that Columbus was a brave and successful person. He opened the New Earth, and as we know, nowadays America is a prosperous country with a high standard of living. America has a lot of great people, discovery and invention, without which it is impossible to live. Thus, we conclude that Columbus did a lot to the whole world.
ReplyDeleteI am inclined to believe that, all the reviews were multifaceted, objective and discerning. Everybody showed their points of views handy and distincty.I find the works of Karina, Nastya peculiar, because due to their arguments I can support them and to speculate about what intentions and goals Columbus pursued during his journey. And sometimes we hasitare between thoughts and contradictions which arise in our minds.
ReplyDeleteContrary to popular belief I can sincerely say that there are no explorers, which didn't harm native inhabitants and taking everything into account every breakthrough can't be without losses. It's relatively difficult to come to understanding but at any rate, thank you for your opinions. Such comments give food for thought.
It's not as straightforward to decide who Columbus really was as we have expected. And I partly share the arguments of all the participants. But yet, I'm attached to my concept. I'd really like to thank Dasha Bal for her informative feedback on my article. It's immensely agreeable to find the people with the same approach to the topic.
ReplyDelete