"Darker side of Columbus taught in US classrooms; Many will not observe holiday" by Christine Armario, Associated Press | October 12, 2009
TAMPA, Fla. - The majority of 62 Columbus reading materials and picture books were outdated, containing inaccurate - and sometimes outright demeaning - depictions of the native Taino population.
Many recall decades ago when there was scant mention of indigenous groups in discussions about Columbus. James Kracht, executive associate dean for academic affairs in the Texas A&M College of Education and Human Development, remembers a picture in one of his fifth-grade textbooks that showed Columbus wading to shore with a huge flag and cross.
“The indigenous population was kind of waiting expectantly, almost with smiles on their faces,’’ Kracht said. “ ‘I wonder what this guy is bringing us?’ Well, he’s bringing us smallpox, for one thing, and none of us are going to live very long.’’
There are people who believe the discussion has shifted too far. Patrick Korten, vice president of communications for the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic fraternal service organization, recalled a note from a member who saw a lesson at a New Jersey school.
The students were forced to stand in a cafeteria and not allowed to eat while other students teased and intimidated them - apparently so they could better understand the suffering that the indigenous populations endured because of Columbus, Korten said.
“My impression is that in some classrooms, it’s anything but a balanced presentation,’’ Korten said. “That it’s deliberately very negative, which is a matter of great concern because that is not accurate.’’Can you imagine them saying the same thing about Hitler or some other mass-murdering, genocidal maniac?
How about our current crop of revered war criminals know as presidents?
The noble discoverer often portrayed in pop culture and legend....
Yeah what do my kids' history books say:
"An estimated 3 million to 10 million people lived in America north of Mexico in 1492. Between 90 and 95 percent of this native population appears to have died of European diseases during the first century of contact."
Then they are MOVIN' ON to the Columbian exchange (a pro-globalist agenda).
"The native American civilizations, which had their own unique qualities and a degree of sophistication not much appreciated by Europeans, were virtually destroyed."
And just as quickly forgotten about according to the text.
--more--"
And yet the Globe is AWASH in CELEBRATION?
Hopefuls add dash of politics to Columbus Day parade
What’s open and closed on Columbus Day
In Dorchester, a grand day for the wearing of the green
Few hitches on an event-filled day
Must have been a slow news day, huh?
Pffft.
