Argumentative Essay: Is Columbus A Villain?

Many people disagree with each other in many ways. For example, one person wants to eat at home while the other wants to eat out. However, those are easy fixes and they will certainly come to an agreement. On the other hand, there is a much greater debate. Should Columbus Day be abolished as a National holiday? To abolish something means to get rid of or to put an end to. Do people believe in Columbus’ heroic actions, or do they believe in Columbus’ failure and genocide? It seems as if many people disagree and believe Columbus is a villain. In fact, some cities and states have eliminated Columbus Day and have changed its title. Many Native American protestors have been demonstrating against Columbus in Seattle for several years. Protest organizers say, “Columbus should not be credited with …show more content…
Zinn does a very good job about attacking the reader from a Native American’s perspective. Zinn uses quotes from Columbus’ own journal and describes to the reader what it was like back then. He quotes, “As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.” It is obvious that Columbus must have treated them very badly in order to get what he wanted which we all know was gold. “..They ordered all persons fourteen years or older to collect a certain quantity of gold every three months. When they brought it, they were given copper tokens to hang around their necks. Indians found without a copper token had their hand cut off and bled to death.” (Howard Zinn) Columbus commits genocide and violence by torturing the Natives because they weren’t able to complete impossible tasks. These are just some of the many reason why I agree with many people in Settle that Columbus Day should be