It seems hard for me to reconcile the fact that I probably wouldn't be here if Columbus had not come the Americas. Despite this reality, I cannot condone the behavior and actions of Columbus and other colonists/conquerers. A hero is someone that helps or struggles to improve the lives of others (see Martin Luther King Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day), and not someone who seeks to use other humans to increase ones wealth.
As a teacher, who hopes his students will grow and mature into great human beings everything Columbus did stands in contrast to the people I hope will be compassionate leaders of the future.
As a nation, our existence rests on the conquests and exploits of Christopher Columbus. Nonetheless, negating his culpability and role in the slaughter, rape torture and enslavement of Native American denies the truth and the legacy of lives lost.
