I am catching up with posting online my articles.
On the 12th of October there was celebration of anniversary of the Christopher Columbus who in 1492 has discovered Americas. I have never really paid attention to this date but this year my attention has been caught by the posts on Facebook pointing out that Columbus is responsible for the genocide of the Indians and thus there is nothing to celebrate.
And in a sense this is true but yet judging and blaming Columbus for it, is not appropriate.
Why do I defend Christopher ?
I know that he had strong motivation and at the same time courage to pursue his "dream" and I also know for sure that this was not easy because he was going against the beliefs of the society. And you know how it is !!! For example Copernicus and Galileo were risking their lives for trying to question the beliefs of society even though they were wrong. Anyway Columbus was questioning the beliefs of the majority and getting the support to sponsor his trip was not easy.
But eventually thanks to his perseverance he managed to convince the king of Spain to sponsor his expedition and during the trip he discovered new continent. This discovery brought him respect and thanks to it he his name is known and will be known by many and for many centuries if not thousands of years ( of course under condition that people won't destroy life on earth completely ).
But the discovery of the Americas was not only about the glory because then we have couple of centuries of wars and genocide of the native population. And that's why there are posts on Facebook blaming Columbus for it. Thus Columbus, thanks to his discovery has on one hand gained all the respect and honour but on the other hand he is being blamed and responsible for all the negative aspect which came with it.
Now... blaming Columbus for the holocaust and genocide is too easy and it indicates lack of maturity of those who judge him. Look... Christopher would probably never get to America on his own. That is why he begged for support. Thus you see... the kind of Spain is also responsible for it as well as those who accompanied Columbus on the trip. Then we have many who followed Columbus when he was still alive and after his death and who came with superiority syndrome, greed and violence and they have altogether caused more damage than Christopher himself. They did not have to do it. Columbus did not give the orders for all to follow in the centuries ahead and to eradicate the native population.
To be continued...