The Washington Times recently ran a story titled, “Columbus is no hero in? some classrooms”. Written by Christine Armario, the article deals with a ?kindergarten teacher who revamped the traditional story of Christopher ?Columbus with what he feels is a more factual representation of the Spanish ?explorer.
Jeffrey Kolowith, the teacher in question, spoke to his? class about how Columbus was, “.very, very mean, very bossy.” The? article continues on to show the decline of favorable light on Christopher? Columbus and the celebration of his namesake holiday for his treatment of? indigenous people during his explorations and governorship and alleged ?dishonesty to the Spanish Crown he worked under.
For those who are a bit fuzzy on Columbus’ life and times, or can only remember that little first grade jingle “In fourteen hundred ninety-two,? Columbus sailed the ocean blue,” Columbus led quite an adventurous, albeit? controversial, life.
Columbus mistakenly thought he found a quicker route to? Asia than any other previously found and won funding from the Queen of Spain, Isabella I of Castille. Columbus drastically underestimated the circumference of? the Earth and instead of finding East Asia, as he had so hoped, found the Bahamas instead.
Later, as a gesture of gratitude from the King and? Queen of Spain, Columbus was made Viceroy and Governor of New Spain. His rule did not last long, however, and complaints were filed against Columbus and his? brothers for atrocities committed against the native peoples and acting tyrannically as a leader.
All three Columbus brothers were immediately sent back ?to Spain, imprisoned and stripped of their wealth. Eventually, the brothers ?pleaded their case before the King and Queen and were restored to prominence ?once again.
What bothered me so much about The Washington Times’ story involving the? teacher was the teacher’s biased and overly critical view of? Columbus. Yes, some historians question the intentions and actions? of Columbus and his voyages across the ocean (as did Reflector opinion editor Harry Nelson in an Oct. 9 column), but does that lessen ?the value of what this man has done for history?
My answer is simple: No, it? does not. Columbus opened up a whole other world (the New World as it would be ?termed later) to Europe, Asia and Africa. Every nation deifies cultural icons ?for their contributions to that particular nation.
Do the Greeks think less of? Socrates and Plato even though they are both widely known to have had continual? affairs with young boys during their lifetimes? Of course not. What Socrates and? Plato did in their free time bares no weight on the philosophical, scientific?and cultural genius these men held.
Even our Founding Fathers (Washington,? Jefferson, Adams and others), who are praised as national heroes for their? nationalism, bravery and wisdom, were slave owners. Should a new school? curriculum be instilled so we teach school age children to show less respect for the Founding Fathers of the United States because they partook in a ?barbaric act which was commonplace and accepted during their time?
?What Kolowith was teaching was honorable. He? was simply trying to portray a historical figure as accurately as possible, but ?once you begin to be overly critical of cultural deities such as? Columbus you open up a can of worms.
Soon, textbooks will be noting that?commonly held beliefs such as Cleopatra of Ancient Egypt’s alleged beauty and? the “American Dream,” are perhaps more myth than truth. (Cleopatra is believed by ?many modern historians to have been plain looking at best, and many sociologists ?call into question the attainability of the American Dream.)
All societies? need figures and ideals to look up to and see as somewhat above the average? human being’s status. Looking back through time, it is easy to spot these figures? in every culture, so why go digging up old sins to tarnish their image? We need? people like Columbus and Jefferson to show the power of human ?fortitude and genius, no matter what faults the modern eye may find in their?lifestyles and character.
Of course, no one is perfect, but what these? historical figures did should earn them some amount of respect and reverence for their monumental achievements.
Joshua Bryant is a sophomore majoring in communication. He can be contacted at [email protected].