TWO SIDES TO THE STORY: Which Side Are You On?

NPR has always been my favorite radio station, no matter where I find myself. However, one morning I was listening to NPR on my way to school, as I frequently do, when suddenly I heard the mentioning of Christopher Columbus was a "great explorer." Well, let me tell you, I know damn well this was not the truth. Shame on NPR. Christopher Columbus was nothing more than an egocentric man who was out to prove to his people that he was somebody. He was willing to do anything to prove himself. Here are the two sides to the story-

This is what... what the European-Americans have to say:
Under the threat of mutiny, Columbus vowed to his crew that if land was not spotted within a few days, he would turn around. Finally, land was spotted and Columbus discovered the New World. Columbus and his crew landed in the Bahamas. Columbus assumed he was in India, and called the natives “Indians.” Continuing onward, Columbus discovered Cuba and Haiti. He soon returned back to Spain and was met with a hero’s welcome.
Christopher Columbus’ accidental discovery of the New World in October 1492 while in search for a new and shorter trade route to Asia had shock waves across Europe. The Spanish Crown in addition to seeing this as an opportunity to expand their holdings and increase their wealth and influence also saw this as an opportunity to spread the Catholic faith. (Roman Catholic Diocese of St Petersburg, FL)

And the Indigenous Say:
Christopher Columbus' reputation has not survived the scrutiny of history, and today we know that he was no more the discoverer of America than Pocahontas was the discoverer of Great Britain. Native Americans had built great civilizations with many millions of people long before Columbus wandered lost into the Caribbean. This myth of the pawned jewels obscures the true and more sinister story of how Columbus financed his trip. The Spanish monarch invested in his excursion, but only on the condition that Columbus would repay this investment with profit by bringing back gold, spices, and other tribute from Asia. This pressing need to repay his debt underlies the frantic tone of Columbus' diaries as he raced from one Caribbean island to the next, stealing anything of value. ( Written by Jack Weatherford"Author of 'Indian Givers'")

So please somebody tell me why school children are being lied to. Your so called hero and great explorer was a thief and a murder. He should go down in history as such. Tell the children the truth and nothing but the truth. Furthermore, instead of labeling what happened in Armenia as a genocide, Why does not congress labeled what happened to the indigenous people of Mexico, Haiti, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, and all the other countries in the American continent as a genocide? Many people died.

Emael O. W. "aka" Vodou Child

check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwK6meERA_k