We Might Owe Christopher Columbus an Apology

Summary

The speaker embarks on a personal exploration of Christopher Columbus, comparing three books that present contrasting perspectives on the historical figure. Howard Zinn and James Loewen offer harsh critiques, portraying Columbus as a brutal colonizer driven by greed and violence. However, Carol Delaney's work paints a more nuanced picture, emphasizing Columbus' spiritual beliefs, navigation skills, and his positive relationships with some indigenous people. The speaker concludes that Columbus was misunderstood and argues that his portrayal as solely a villain is overly simplistic, ultimately viewing him in a more favorable light.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker expresses ambivalence about Christopher Columbus, uncertain whether to view him as a hero or villain.
• 📚 The speaker first read Howard Zinn's *A People's History of the United States*, which portrays Columbus as cruel and obsessed with gold, glory, and slavery.
• 😟 After reading Zinn's work, the speaker feels disgusted by Columbus but notices that the coverage is brief and lacks a clear timeline or extensive primary sources.
• 📖 The speaker then read James Loewen's *Lies My Teacher Told Me*, which covers Columbus in more depth but suffers from similar issues: few primary sources and a fragmented narrative.
• 📘 The third book, *Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem* by Carol Delaney, offers a more comprehensive view of Columbus, including many primary sources and contextual history.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Delaney portrays Columbus as a complex figure—deeply religious, skilled in navigation, and capable of building meaningful relationships with some indigenous groups.
• ⛓️ The speaker acknowledges that atrocities occurred in the Caribbean, but argues that Columbus didn't directly participate in them and tried to defend indigenous people.
• 😨 Columbus's encounters with the warlike Carib Indians were violent, but he freed slaves and acted heroically in some instances, according to Delaney.
• 🤨 The speaker criticizes Zinn and Loewen for omitting positive aspects of Columbus's life and suggests their works are ideologically motivated.
• 👍 In conclusion, the speaker appreciates Delaney's more nuanced view of Columbus and finds him to be one of the 'good guys,' despite his controversial legacy.

Q & A

What are the speaker's initial feelings towards Christopher Columbus?

The speaker feels ambivalent about Christopher Columbus, unsure whether to admire him or be disgusted by him. They mention not having deeply investigated Columbus before but were prompted to do so recently.

What is the first source the speaker reads about Columbus, and how does it affect their view of him?

The speaker first reads 'A People's History of the United States' by Howard Zinn. This book portrays Columbus as cruel and psychopathic, focusing on his violent actions against indigenous people, which leads the speaker to feel strongly negative about Columbus.

What issues does the speaker identify with Howard Zinn's portrayal of Columbus?

The speaker notes that Zinn’s portrayal, while persuasive and detailed, is limited to just nine pages with around 12 primary sources. They feel the book lacks a clear timeline of events and leaves out important context, leading to an incomplete story.

What is the second book the speaker reads, and how does it compare to Zinn's work?

The second book the speaker reads is 'Lies My Teacher Told Me' by James Loewen. This book covers Columbus in 40 pages, which the speaker appreciates for its depth. However, they critique it for having the same issues as Zinn’s work—few primary sources and a lack of a clear, organized timeline.

How does the speaker perceive the motivations of Zinn and Loewen in their writings?

The speaker feels that both Zinn and Loewen are ideologically motivated, attempting to expose the sugar-coated versions of history taught in schools. However, the speaker believes these authors create their own omissions and inaccuracies in the process.

What is the third source the speaker consults, and how does it change their perspective on Columbus?

The third source is 'Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem' by Carol Delaney. This book provides a much more comprehensive, nuanced view of Columbus, with a focus on primary sources and historical context. The speaker finds it a more balanced and detailed portrayal, highlighting Columbus's spirituality and complexity.

How does Delaney's book depict Columbus's relationships with indigenous peoples?

Delaney's book depicts Columbus as having good relationships with some indigenous peoples, particularly the Arawak and Taino. The speaker mentions that Columbus befriended the natives, tried to protect them, and even executed Spaniards who abused them.

What does the speaker say about Columbus's involvement in slavery?

The speaker acknowledges that Columbus managed the export of 26 indigenous people from Hispaniola to Spain, but they argue that these captives were warlike cannibals who practiced slavery themselves. The speaker emphasizes that Columbus did not personally own slaves and that slavery was a widespread practice at the time.

What role did Columbus play in the atrocities committed against the indigenous people during his voyages?

While atrocities occurred during Columbus's voyages, the speaker asserts that Columbus did not authorize or condone them. He tried to protect the natives and ordered his men to treat them with dignity. However, he was unable to control all the Spaniards, many of whom committed horrific acts.

What does the speaker conclude about Columbus after reading Delaney’s book?

The speaker concludes that Columbus was a complex figure who cannot be easily labeled as a villain or a hero. They express a newfound respect for Columbus, appreciating his spirituality and the efforts he made to protect the indigenous peoples, despite the violence that occurred under his command.