skinned, non-Christian natives. He imposed a system of forced labor where he worked them till death. There is also documented evidence that Columbus butchered those who failed to meet their quota of gold. Columbus was directly involved in murdering and enslaving natives and played a leading role in the destruction of their cultures. Columbus set a precedent; in his wake came Cortez, Pizarro, and all the other gold-hungry Spanish conquistadors to continue the perpetuation of these horrendous atrocities. The Spaniards imposed the infamous "requiriemento" of the Spanish crown. The Indians were given a choice to either accept the Christian god or be tortured to death. Ultimately, the European invasion and conquest of the New World wiped out more than 90 percent of the population.

What is at issue here is what Christopher Columbus and the holiday stand for. Columbus Day, also known as Discovery Day, symbolizes conquest, genocide, and racism. Columbus Day is nothing more than a remembrance of the Western holocaust of 100 million indigenous peoples. For native Americans, it is a day of mourning and the anniversary of the beginning of the European conquest of their world without borders. To celebrate Columbus Day and view this barbaric exploiter as a hero indicates the level of insensitivity, disrespect, and racism in our society for the original inhabitants of this land.

If the parades are showcases that represent the best of Italy and the best of the Italian-American community, then the worst Italian should not be the honoree. Italians should feel shame, not pride, in this man; he should be reviled, not revered. Columbus is the one rotten apple in the Italian barrel. Italians have better candidates to represent their rich culture and history. This national holiday should be replaced with Italian-American Day at the state level.

Also at issue is the unwillingness to recognize and acknowledge shameful U.S. history that it was founded upon land theft and genocide. U.S. history of aggression against others included campaigns by the federal government to exterminate the native population. The most violent method was massacres by the military. For those who survived, the U.S. destroyed their sources of food and shelter and carried out the systematic destruction of their society. The United States' "Manifest Destiny" also included the taking of northern Mexico through an unjust and immoral war.

Almost everything we have been taught all these years has been from a white European perspective. The past must be understood for what it was. We need to rethink our history, look at the world from other points of view, from the view of the natives. The horrible truths of U.S. history continue to be hidden, even by U.S. museums, including the Smithsonian, which is, of course, located right in Washington, D.C. One of the most outrageous untruths perpetuated is the one involving the battle of the Alamo in Texas, where mercenaries and Indian killers became the state of Texas' most honored heroes.

Even though they are native to North America, Mexicans are erroneously labeled "immigrants, foreigners, and illegal aliens" when they cross over the U.S. imposed border. The government has whitewashed its indigenous identity by anointing its citizens with the European term, Hispanic. Now the U.S. focuses on "diversity" rather than give needed attention to this neglected race. The U.S. media and Hollywood also deliberately shun brown indigenous personalities.

The glorification of Western civilization and the ideology of racial superiority is esteemed by right-wingers and the powerful elite. Historian Howard Zinn's, "A celebration of Columbus celebrates imperialism," makes worthwhile reading. Many Americans view the country's expansion and domination as a manifestation of greatness. As the U.S. nation becomes more greedy and arrogant, the wisdom of the native culture is needed to help reconnect the compassion, harmony, and respect for all living things. This will not only help the U.S. make the idealism of democracy, equality, and justice a reality for all, but will also help save the environment and the human race.

Anita Quintanilla is a veteran Chicana activist, a mother of two, and is currently unemployed.

Anita Quintanilla encourages your comments: quintanilla50@yahoo.com

YellowTimes.org is an international news and opinion publication.

http://www.yellowtimes.org/print.php?sid=1611

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------