Compare And Contrast Christopher Columbus And Indians In 1490

In 1492 Christopher Columbus missed named, people Indigenous to the Americas, Indians too. The opening statement is juxtaposition that plays on the familiar rhyme “In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue”. It is a mnemonic device that is taught to children to help them remember the date that the explore set out to “discover” America. The rhyme as well as most of the information that is taught about the the explorer are a gross understatement, unlike the opening statement. It is his mislabeling of the Indigenous people that left a mark on the people that has still not been erased today. While the United States has come a long way since the days of Christopher Columbus, we are working toward being a more caring and considerate society.

However we still have a lot more to accomplish, the term “indian” name as well as characters exaggerating their features, skin color and them being being savages are still popular in american media. For instance the football team, that probably has the most controversial team names of all, represents Washington D.C , our nation's capital, is the named the Washington Redskins. It is ironic that a city that is supposed to be the number one representation of our country, which prides itself on being a “melting pot” of cultures, has a football team named after a racial slur. This just shows that as a county we are not as progressive as we would like to think. Offensive sports team names weather national or local should be banned if we actually want to grant United States citizens the right to the pursuit of happiness like the Declaration of Independence

In the case of the Washington Redskins, the owner Dan Synder is opposed to changing the name, claiming that the name is not offensive but very respectful and honors the people Indigenous to America (Martinez). “The Redskins have said that the name, adopted in 1933, was chosen because American Indians were brave and strong”(Belson). Implying that Synder feels that the name is associated with gallantry and warrior quality and feels that the word isn’t racist at all. He feels that because the fan yell “Hail Redskins” that this also conveys how the name is and example of honor and not disrespect (Martinez). He has also gone on record saying that he will never change the teams name, which he can legally due because of the teams trademark (Martinez and Belson). But Snyder is not the only one who feels that the name should not be changed, in a poll done by the washington post 57% think that the name should be kept (Martinez). When trying to prove that the word is not a slur people might go back to statements made by the Indigenous people in 1812, like that of the Sioux Chief French Cow when he pledge his loyalty to President James Madison. He said “I am a red skin, but what I say is the truth, and notwithstanding I came a long way I am content, but wish to return from here”(Shapira). They would harp on the fact that