Native 1. Existing in or belonging to one by nature; innate 2. Being such by birth or origin 3. Being one’s own because of the place or circumstances of one’s birth:
our native land.
Native Americans are widely considered to be the tribes that were present before Columbus set foot on America. However based on the definition of “native” any person born in America could be considered a native.
Columbus could be considered the person who made it possible for immigration to America, due to his discovery of America. Once these immigrants from Europe took hold many atrocities took place.
Currently there is much debate about U
Indigenous 1. Occurring or living naturally in a particular area or environment; native. 2. Intrinsic; innate.
Native 1. Existing in or belonging to one by nature; innate 2. Being such by birth or origin 3. Being one’s own because of the place or circumstances of one’s birth: our native land.
Native Americans are widely considered to be the tribes that were present before Columbus set foot on America. However based on the definition of “native” any person born in America could be considered a native.
Columbus could be considered the person who made it possible for immigration to America, due to his discovery of America. Once these immigrants from Europe took hold many atrocities took place.
Currently there is much debate about USA’s border along the Mexico side. Many of my acquaintances that are for a more open border policy also suggest that we shouldn’t be celebrating Columbus Day. My question is should we celebrate Columbus Day which led to immigration into the USA, or should we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and mourn all the problems immigration brings?
Good question
You do know that Columbus never set foot in any land that would later become the United States. That honor belongs to Ponce De Leon in 1513.
The Vikings settled on the east coast of Canada, it is debated if they made it as far south as the today United States.
There were Atrocities committed against the indigenous peoples, not only by Europeans, but by other tribes as well.
There were Atrocities committed by indigenous peoples, not only toward Europeans, but to other tribes as well.
Within 100 - 150 years after Columbus landed in Hispaniola, 85 - 90% of all Native Americans, North and South, were dead from disease. Deaths attributed to warfare, and atrocities were miniscule in number compared to deaths from disease. That however does not excuse what happened, but it is what it is.
The Spanish established St Augustine in 1565, the English established Jamestown in 1607. There were earlier attempts at colonization that failed for a variety of reasons.
Hernando De Soto, landed on the gulf coast of Florida, just South of Tampa Bay in 1539. His exposition was a disaster for the Native American Populations in what would become the United States. His expedition traveled through what would become the States of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and probably Arkansas.
The diseases that were brought by members of his expedition, and the swine that escaped along the way so decimated local populations that by the time St. Augustine, and later Jamestown were established most Native Americans in the East of the Mississippi River were long dead.
Desoto Landed with 600 men, most of them died as well. There was some fighting, that caused casualties on both sides, but those 600 Men did not slaughter the Native American Populations with crossbows, lances, and matchlock firearms, they killed some, and were themselves killed, but it was disease brought by members of the expedition, and their escaped swine that did the real killing.
Personally, I don't have a feeling one way, or, another about Columbus day, except I did like the day off each year. If the Government wants to rename it, that's fine, or keep it as is, that's fine also.
But it was disease...not warfare that killed 99.9% of Native Americans.
And this was not limited to the Americas either, Europeans did the same thing in New Zealand with the Maori, and in Australia, the Europeans tried to deliberately exterminate the Aboriginal people. As late as 1970's Canada, Native American children were still being forcibly removed from their parents for "Re-Education" some never saw home again, and don't get me started on British treatment of the Irish, Scotts, and Welsh.
Is you go back in history, everyone was invaded, everyone was enslaved at some point, and we still kill each other over petty greed, and envy. We never (all people's everywhere) never take responsibility for the things they have done, and we teach all our sins to our children.
What does this mean...I don't care about Columbus Day, one way, or another. Don't forget though, that the Europeans brought the gospel with them, and that's as good as it gets.