“In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” This is one of the catchy phrases that is often used to remember the great “hero” and “discoverer” Christopher Columbus. America celebrates this man’s “discovery” by honoring him with Columbus Day. Did you ever stop and think, though, just why America celebrates this man? Do you ever wonder why Columbus is held in such high regard by a nation he never led or served in any capacity?

The truth is, the nation needs to rethink this holiday as Christopher Columbus did not really do anything other than create turmoil for the “newly discovered” native population, a people that he set on a path of suffering that continues to this day.

Perhaps people are simply grateful to have another day off, so the reason for the holiday matters not. However, when people celebrate Columbus Day they are dismissing the fact that this person is really not worthy of such recognition. I often hear others make comments about Columbus Day. I hear them say, “How do you discover a place where someone has already been living?” or “He basically walked into someone’s house and claimed he found it.”

When I hear these comments, I can’t help but shake my head at our nation’s foolishness and lack of empathy for the people Columbus nearly destroyed. Celebrating Columbus Day is simply a slap in the face – each and every year – to the people who were so negatively affected by this man.

Those who do not see anything wrong with Columbus’ actions do not see negative or positive in Columbus; they simply see him as a person who created a significant change in the world by “discovering” a new land. However, according to Eric Kasum’s article about Columbus’ legacy, Columbus chose to brutally hold natives captive for his own personal fulfillment and convenience. Kasum writes, “On his second trip to the New World, Columbus brought cannons and attack dogs. If a native resisted slavery, he would cut off a nose or an ear. If slaves tried to escape, Columbus had them burned alive.” The suffering and cruelty these innocent people experienced after being deceived by Columbus is sickening and do not portray any type of heroic qualities on Columbus’ part.

The only achievement Columbus should be commended for is disguising his actions as accomplishments worthy of praise, and the fact that a duped people have been carrying on a holiday that should have been put to an end by now.