Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!

With inspiration from the Zinn Project, and author Bill Bigelow, here is a call to action to abolish columbus day!

By Bill Bigelow

Once again this year many schools will pause to commemorate Christopher Columbus. Given everything we know about who Columbus was and what he launched in the Americas, this needs to stop.

Columbus initiated the trans-Atlantic slave trade, in early February 1494, first sending several dozen enslaved Taínos to Spain. Columbus described those he enslaved as “well made and of very good intelligence,” and recommended to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that taxing slave shipments could help pay for supplies needed in the Indies. A year later, Columbus intensified his efforts to enslave Indigenous people in the Caribbean. He ordered 1,600 Taínos rounded up—people whom Columbus had earlier described as “so full of love and without greed”—and had 550 of the “best males and females,” according to one witness, Michele de Cuneo, chained and sent as slaves to Spain. “Of the rest who were left,” de Cuneo writes, “the announcement went around that whoever wanted them could take as many as he pleased; and this was done.”

Taíno slavery in Spain turned out to be unprofitable, but Columbus later wrote, “Let us in the name of the Holy Trinity go on sending all the slaves that can be sold.”

The eminent historian of Africa, Basil Davidson, also assigns responsibility to Columbus for initiating the African slave trade to the Americas. According to Davidson, the first license granted to send enslaved Africans to the Caribbean was issued by the king and queen in 1501, during Columbus’s rule in the Indies, leading Davidson to dub Columbus the “father of the slave trade.”

From the very beginning, Columbus was not on a mission of discovery but of conquest and exploitation—he called his expedition la empresa, the enterprise. When slavery did not pay off, Columbus turned to a tribute system, forcing every Taíno, 14 or older, to fill a hawk’s bell with gold every three months. If successful, they were safe for another three months. If not, Columbus ordered that Taínos be “punished,” by having their hands chopped off, or they were chased down by attack dogs. As the Spanish priest Bartolomé de las Casas wrote, this tribute system was “impossible and intolerable.”

And Columbus deserves to be remembered as the first terrorist in the Americas. When resistance mounted to the Spaniards’ violence, Columbus sent an armed force to “spread terror among the Indians to show them how strong and powerful the Christians were,” according to the Spanish priest Bartolomé de las Casas. In his book Conquest of Paradise, Kirkpatrick Sale describes what happened when Columbus’s men encountered a force of Taínos in March of 1495 in a valley on the island of Hispañiola:

The soldiers mowed down dozens with point-blank volleys, loosed the dogs to rip open limbs and bellies, chased fleeing Indians into the bush to skewer them on sword and pike, and [according to Columbus’s biographer, his son Fernando] “with God’s aid soon gained a complete victory, killing many Indians and capturing others who were also killed.”

If Indigenous peoples’ lives mattered in our society, and if Black people’s lives mattered in our society, it would be inconceivable that we would honor the father of the slave trade with a national holiday. The fact that we have this holiday legitimates a curriculum that is contemptuous of the lives of peoples of color. Elementary school libraries still feature books like Follow the Dream: The Story of Christopher Columbus, by Peter Sis, which praise Columbus and say nothing of the lives destroyed by Spanish colonialism in the Americas.All this and much more has long been known and documented. As early as 1942 in his Pulitzer Prize winning biography, Admiral of the Ocean Sea, Samuel Eliot Morison wrote that Columbus’s policies in the Caribbean led to “complete genocide”—and Morison was a writer who admired Columbus.

No doubt, the movement launched 25 years ago in the buildup to the Columbus Quincentenary has made huge strides in introducing a more truthful and critical history about the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. Teachers throughout the country put Columbus and the system of empire on trial, and write stories of the so-called discovery of America from the standpoint of the people who were here first.

But most textbooks still tip-toe around the truth. Houghton Mifflin’s United States History: Early Years attributes Taíno deaths to “epidemics,” and concludes its section on Columbus: “The Columbian Exchange benefited people all over the world.” The section’s only review question erases Taíno and African humanity: “How did the Columbian Exchange change the diet of Europeans?”

For example, here’s how Peter Sis describes the encounter in his widely used book: “On October 12, 1492, just after midday, Christopher Columbus landed on a beach of white coral, claimed the land for the King and Queen of Spain, knelt and gave thanks to God…” The Taínos on the beach who greet Columbus are nameless and voiceless. What else can children conclude but that their lives don’t matter?Too often, even in 2015, the Columbus story is still young children’s first curricular introduction to the meeting of different ethnicities, different cultures, different nationalities. In school-based literature on Columbus, they see him plant the flag, and name and claim “San Salvador” for an empire thousands of miles away; they’re taught that white people have the right to rule over peoples of color, that stronger nations can bully weaker nations, and that the only voices they need to listen to throughout history are those of powerful white guys like Columbus. Is this said explicitly? No, it doesn’t have to be. It’s the silences that speak.

Enough already. Especially now, when the Black Lives Matter movement prompts us to look deeply into each nook and cranny of social life to ask whether our practices affirm the worth of every human being, it’s time to rethink Columbus, and to abandon the holiday that celebrates his crimes.

Last year, Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant put it well when she explained Seattle’s decision to abandon Columbus Day: “Learning about the history of Columbus and transforming this day into a celebration of Indigenous people and a celebration of social justice … allows us to make a connection between this painful history and the ongoing marginalization, discrimination, and poverty that Indigenous communities face to this day.”More cities—and school districts—ought to follow the example of Berkeley, Minneapolis, and Seattle, which have scrapped Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day—a day to commemorate the resistance and resilience of Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas, and not just in a long-ago past, but today. Or what about studying and honoring the people Columbus enslaved and terrorized: the Taínos. Columbus said that they were gentle, generous, and intelligent, but how many students today even know the name Taíno, let alone know anything of who they were and how they lived?

We don’t have to wait for the federal government to transform Columbus Day into something more decent. Just as the climate justice movement is doing with fossil fuels, we can organize our communities and our schools to divest from Columbus. And that would be something to celebrate.

Bill Bigelow is curriculum editor of Rethinking Schools magazine and co-director of the Zinn Education Project. He co-edited  A People’s Curriculum for the Earth: Teaching Climate Change and the Environmental Crisis.

This article is part of the Zinn Education Project’s
If We Knew Our History series.

© 2015 The Zinn Education Project.

Published on: Huffington Post | Common Dreams | AlterNet.

Image credits:

• Columbus protest: UW-Madison Archives

Related Materials

• 

• Discovering Columbus: Re-reading the Past

  Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. 6 pages.
  How to engage students in a critical analysis of the textbook version of “discovery.”

• 

• The People vs. Columbus, et al.

  Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. 8 pages.
  Role play in the form of a trial to determine who is responsible for the death of millions of Taínos on the island of Hispaniola in the late 15th century.

• 

• Rethinking Columbus: The Next 500 Years

  Teaching Guide. Edited by Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson. 2003. 192 pages.
  Readings and lessons for pre-K to 12 about the impact and legacy of the arrival of Columbus in the Americas. Published by Rethinking Schools.

• 

• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

  Book – Non-fiction. By Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. 2014. 296 pages.
  Four hundred years of Native American history from a bottom-up perspective.

• 

• The Columbus Controversy: Challenging How History Is Written

  Film. Written, directed, and produced by Nick Kaufman. 1991. 23 minutes.
  Contrasting views and scenes from the classroom on teaching about Columbus.

Feel the Bern? Or Feel the System?

Many "progressives" are coming out in waves to offer their support for Democratic presidential nominee, Bernie Sanders.

What do you think?

Our take- Bernie is probably the most progressive person to run under a major party platform, ever. That said, as these conversations are ongoing do you believe in the current political system enough to support it, meaning do you vote?

And if you do, do you vote on party lines?

The question is essential because many true progressives argue that Democrats and Republicans are nothing but different sides to the same coin, one perhaps a little less evil than the other. We also know that there are even better parties and people to support, like Jill Stein and the Green Party.

However, does it really matter who the president is? Seriously...is it not the political system that empowers the economic reality of the U.S. that is most at fault for empowering continued oppression, and marginalizing people of color, the poor, the environment, and anything that gets in the way of "growth"?

As the presidential debates kick up, educate yourself, as always, on the totality of issues at play. Our perspective here is that until the flawed, nondemocratic system of governance employed by the U.S. changes and/or is obliterated to to reflect the actual reality that all that matters is the planet and its people, it does not matter who is in charge of the executive branch.

Many choose to not vote so as to not support this inherently flawed system. At the same time, no matter what, this system impacts us all, so others try and vote for third parties, for those who more closely reflect their political hopes and dreams. Still more folks are theorizing something else...

Let me tell you, achieving peace, justice and sustainability through the current political framework in this country with capitalism in charge is laughable. Bernie does not truly critique capitalism, but he at least gives it some shit. But I'll tell you what, if he became president, let's see what he can do. Yes, the House and Senate matters too, but does it?  The point to meditate on is no matter who takes those seats, under this system, true well-being for all can not be achieved. Something else must take it's place...or keep supporting Bernie. He is pretty rad for another white male in a position of power, but in your true faith for hope in this world, will he really bring about the change that's necessary? can he? can this system? Should we start talking about the other person in the media spotlight and all his hate towards people of color, immigrants, women and the Earth...

Open your mind, don't be fooled into thinking the world HAS to be this way...

In Solidarity.

Is Pope Francis Really THAT Important?

Pope Francis just left the United States (U.S.) after an almost weeklong visit that has caused quite a stir across the country, and the world. The Pope visited major cities, and even shrugged off a meeting with Congressional leaders to visit and serve homeless folks. However, the biggest take away's not only from his visit to the U.S. but since he has assumed the roll of Pope has been to critique capitalism, offer an apology for faith based colonial attacks on Indigenous people, and most recently to call out the failure of the prison industrial complex.

During his U.S. visit the Pope also met with victims of sex abuse scandals fostered by clergy members, supporters for environmental protection, and immigrant families. Some environmentalists champion the Pope for speaking out about climate change and the sin it presents to the world for treating the earth in such a way. His plan, which unfortunately did not take place, to cross the Mexico-U.S. border would've been a great act in solidarity for undocumented citizens of the U.S. had it actually happened. His words in Congress to end arms trades, to open doors to immigrants, and to link climate change to inequality and poverty are nothing short of spectacular. But we're talking about the leader of a HUGE religiously dogmatic regime here. How can this be?

To be frank, this Pope has ruffled feathers and will continue to do so. He's a man to watch, read up on and listen to. While some have said, regarding sexuality, it's more about what he hasn't said than what he has said, if he can take deeper steps on certain issues he might be one of the biggest individuals to enact and foster change in quite some time. As much as it shouldn't matter, individuals in leadership roles do help enact revolution and change. It's all about community in the end, but individuals can spark the change.

However, what must not be lost is the Pope has maintained his conviction to canonize Junipero Serra, a Spanish missionary said to have helped usher in a wave of imperialism, genocide and oppression on California Indigenous People during first contact in the 18th century. In addition, the Pope continues to favor patriarchal roots of men dominating women through the church, especially when it comes to women's rights.

On these last few points alone, the Pope can not be looked at at the "radical" he appears to be, but then again, will pressure from those opposing his push to canonize Junipero, and those pushing him to engage justly on issues of sexuality and gender rights get to him enough for him to give way? If so, the Pope may truly be one to watch and support for the necessary paradigm shift needed in this world. For now, we wait, we study, we push, we find his flaws and bring them to him to discuss, analyze and defend. There are some MAJOR flaws with some his positions, but there's hope. In Solidarity.

Fight Against The Apache Land Grab and Neocolonization!

Russell Means is watching, and even those not in tune to the continued neocolonial acts of the US Government towards American Indians have taken notice of the conflict surrounding Oak Flat.

Borrowed from an Indian Country piece on the issue, "Late last year, Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake attached a land-swap measure to a must-pass defense bill in which ownership of 2,400 acres of Apache holy land—public lands that were supposed to be immune from such treatment—was transferred to a mining company. Resolution Copper wants what is under that land and is willing to destroy it to get to the prized metals underneath."

As revolting as this is and may seem to some, it's nothing new. Native Americans have been fighting to protect their sacred sites, retain their cultural heritage, and protect traditional resources since first contact. The American Indian Movement (AIM) of the 1970's with the words of leader Russell Means helped lead to a revival of justice during the "Red Power" movement. But with cases like Oak Flat, business as usual continues.

If you stand in solidarity for people and the planet learn more about the history of genocide brought to Indigenous people across the world. Learn more about how even in an age of understanding the atrocities of the past, continued oppression exists through cases like this one centered on Oak Flat. Find out how you can play a part, standing in solidarity with those who have no choice, but to either fight, or succumb to capitalism once again empowered through the political system, viewing people, ecosystems and culture as nothing but a barrier to increased profits. This link highlights the July march on Washington. It is offered here, with this post, as a way to not let the information die, but rather showcase it as something folks that believe in peace, sustainability and justice can rally around to fight and win a battle, in the war for all living things, especially those who continue to be disproportionally dominated.

History Is Made | One Flag Up, One Flag Down

It's been a historic few weeks. With the ever present tone of continued turmoil across the world, let us reflect on a battle fought and won with regards to a symbol of oppression coming down, and a symbol of human rights going up in the U.S.

It's beautiful, isn't it? Such a simple cartoon, yet it's so profound.

If you come across someone who's defensive of the confederate flag, think about passing on this piece. Here, there is undeniable evidence, from the creator of the flag:

I'd say there's not much heritage to protect, unless it's one built on racism, slavery, and oppression through a belief in white supremacy. It's a beautiful thing, that flag has come down in South Carolina, but will it remain exalted elsewhere?

On the flip side, in a movement to support equality for all, sexuality as a tool of oppression took a major hit as the Supreme Court voted to make same-sex marriage a human right. It's a major win for people across the world who believe in peace, justice and sustainability.

Imagine, if you are heterosexual, not being able to freely love the one you love because you are homosexual. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Think about community, respect, and being human. This is one of the greatest things to come from the Supreme Court in this history of its creation.

The war wages on, but in every war, battles are fought and victories, as small as they may seem in the grand scheme, should be celebrated. One symbol of hate down, one symbol of love and justice up.

In Solidarity.

 

Utah's Strategy for the Homeless: Give Them Homes

This is not the first time we've shared thoughts from the below linked piece, but issues of homelessness or houselessness remain at the forefront of social justice and community health projects across the world. Time and time again the ugly face of elitist environmentalism shows its true colors when issues like these are present. Why is it so difficult for people to see that the houseless population is a part of the population?

Usually, issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability and age are central in such discourse. But the rampant manner that so many choose to demonize those who are on the street continues as unabated as the perpetuation of corporate control of American politics. I ask you, the next time you see someone who's houseless, ask yourself, "Do they want this existence?" Believe it or not, many answer yes as a direct result of their disenfranchisement from status quo society.

The other main question is to, like most issues of social justice, and in regards to those who don't want to be in such a position, how did s/he get here? Why are they here? What might support this person in regaining a sense of autonomy over their own life? Whether it's abuse as a child, drugs and crime as a way to escape a plagued reality, or impacts from serving in the military, bringing a sense of well-being to houseless folks across the world is one of the most difficult, important issues in the fight to achieve peace, justice and sustainability.

Take a look at this report from Utah, look outward, and think more critically, with compassion, love and respect the next time you engage with a member of the houseless community. In Solidarity.
 

19 Years of Essential Interviews with Noam Chomsky

It's far from a new report that the folks at Peace, Justice and Sustainability believe Democracy Now! is one of the most, if not the most accurate, justice driven news source in the US. Recently, they've made all of their interviews with globally recognized political activist Noam Chomsky available for video streaming and listening.

Head here to the page in question where you'll find hours upon hours of thought provoking interviews. From calls of accountability, to issues of war and peace, let this post serve as something you can go back to when you're ready to marinate on the critical thought necessary to bring about peace, justice and sustainability to a world fueled by corrupt power, framed through numerous interlocking systems of oppression.