The Fight over Columbus Day
This is an extra chance for Kris Maulden's students to participate on the blog. Clicking on the title will take you to an article about a protest against Columbus Day carried out by Native American students in Lawrence, Kansas. The article offers the protesters' perspective that Columbus should be viewed as something less than a hero who merits a federal holiday. This is obviously a very controversial issue in Lawrence; for evidence, have a look at the comments on the article that people have posted. Have a look at the article - the comments too, if you want - and think about it yourself. After what you've learned about the Indian-European encounter in this class, what would you like to add to this debate? Has this class changed your understanding of Columbus? Why or why not?
posted by Anonymous at 11:17 AM
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In the article the protesters blame Columbus for everything that happened to the Native Americans during the settlement of America. While I do facilitated the settlement, I don't believe that he is specifically to blame. The settlers and their leaders should be the ones that are blamed. Columbus did not personally attack or exploit the Native Americans. Although I don't necessarily believe that Columbus is a figure to be celebrated I certainly don't believe that everything that was done to the Native Americans should be put on his shoulders. He was merely an explorer and just happened to come across America at the right time to recieve the glory for his "discovery".
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