Persuasive Essay: Christopher Columbus Day

Columbus Day Persuasive Essay

Christopher Columbus; when hearing that name a large majority of Americans conjure an image of a noble hero who courageously sailed west to get to the far east, furthermore discovering America and bringing the barren land out of its destitution by creating a modernized colonization. Because that is the utopical heroine that is taught in elementary schools, most people do not stop to think about the character of the man who “sailed the ocean blue in 1492” apart from the official holiday in his honor that is observed each year. There are only two individuals in the totality of American history who have federal holidays named after them, so clearly Columbus’s legacy is one of significance, though not entirely accurate. After further research, one can discover information that is contradictory to the elementary version of America’s founder. The United States should not honor Christopher Columbus with a national holiday because he enslaved natives, played a part in the decimation of entire

populations, and grossly mistreated others.
Firstly, Christopher Columbus is not deserving of the recognition he receives from a federal holiday due to his enslavement of natives to increase laborers in his hunt for gold.

If Columbus subjugated and misused others to reap personal benefits, then he is of unethical and dehumanizing character therefore unworthy of the honor bestowed upon his memory.

In addition, the cataclysm of European born disease that plagued the native populations are partially the fault of Christopher Columbus. Although Columbus was likely unaware of the native’s lack of immunity to the diseases carried by the Europeans, he choose to bring the large amount of men on his voyages, which is ultimately what caused the widespread of fatal illness. Because Columbus was a key factor in the disease outbreak that obliterated native societies, his ignorance is responsible for the lack of many ancient native american cultures. Consequently, Columbus is undeserving of his current

holiday.
Lastly, and possibly most noteworthy, Christopher Columbus should not be recognized with a national holiday because of his mistreatment of others. This included, but was not limited to, the violent abuse of unsatisfactory slaves, the selling of females into sexual slavery, and the religious oppression of natives. Despite the contrasting ethics of Columbus’s time and present day, by almost any standard his actions can be labeled as wrong. If Columbus acted in a way that was corrupt, unethical, and unprincipled on multiple occasions, he should not be distinguished with a holiday.
Our nation’s icons are frequently criticized, often without merit. All humans have faults and make mistakes, including our founders. Mistakes should not cloud our appreciation of their many accomplishments. Though columbus was a individual of questionable character, he was an expert sailor with a few bright ideas. Yet a nation’s values can often be reflected in whom it chooses to revere, and America’s praise of Columbus - a man who, however great his accomplishments, never espoused traditional American values- is outdated and unjustified. Our continued honoring of Columbus additionally sends a clear message to Native Americans that their struggles are not of historical importance. Instead, American’s ought to be honest about what really happened in 1492 and use this holiday not simply as an exclusive celebration of Columbus, but as a celebration of all our early visitors and acknowledge all perspectives.