Columbus Day

[Crossposted at the Underground Railroad]


Today is October 10, 2005 which means it's Columbus Day.

On October 12, 1492 land was sighted aboard the Pinta, one of Columbus' ships, and thus began full-scale European exploration of the "New World."

So every October Columbus Day is observed on the 12th. Federal holiday, no work for some people.

But what are we celebrating?

Ever since I've been old enough to have a sense of history I've kind of felt like Columbus Day is a cruel joke; a spit in the face to those who endured the widespread brutality, destruction, and death that followed Christopher Columbus' journey to the Caribbean. How you gonna honor murder, rape, and pillaging? Cuz you do know that Columbus did that when he arrived, right?

I mean, how must it feel to be of Arawak, Taino, Carib descent and know that the man who nearly decimated your entire people is a celebrated hero?

For that matter, anyone of Native American Indian descent lives with the legacy of Columbus.

In any case, I hope you have the day off today and you spend it being a blessing to others.

Happy Indigenous People's Day!