Christopher Columbus has always been a controversial topic. Some individuals believe he was a hero and founded the Great America at no one’s expense. On the other hand, some individuals believe that Christopher Columbus was a deleterious, inconsiderate, and clueless explorer. Was Columbus a thief and a murderer and should he have his own holiday, is the topic of theologian Dr. Tink Tinker and BBC producer Mark Freeland’s article, “Thief, Slave Trader, Murderer: Christopher Columbus and Caribbean Population Decline” (Tinker and Freeland, 2008, Pg.25). After deliberation and a close look at sources Tinker and Freeland argue that Columbus was a thief and murderer who should not be honored. The biggest reason for writing this article was, “to take away the flimsy excuses for the continued celebration of a violent historical figure (Columbus), empire, and genocide” (Tinker and Freeland, 2008, Pg.26). To do this, the authors use many primary resources from the “invasion” of America. Figures like Peter Martyr, Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, and Bartolome de Las Casas are the original sources that are quoted to show population numbers and conditions (Tinker and Freeland, 2008,
…show more content…
Not only that, there are not any weaknesses that are worth noting. However, a notable amount of people disagree with the belief that Columbus was cruel and inhumane. As an article states, “Columbus was not a perpetrator of any crime or disrespect to the people… Disease, primarily small pox, killed many natives. Europeans unwittingly brought the disease” (Harper, 2016, Pg.1). It is important to mention that many individuals who disagree with Tinker and Freeman, including Harper, do not have significant sources like Peter Martyr, Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, and Bartolome de Las Casas. In fact, the only sources they primarily use are Columbus’s, which are fueled by
Not only that, there are not any weaknesses that are worth noting. However, a notable amount of people disagree with the belief that Columbus was cruel and inhumane. As an article states, “Columbus was not a perpetrator of any crime or disrespect to the people… Disease, primarily small pox, killed many natives. Europeans unwittingly brought the disease” (Harper, 2016, Pg.1). It is important to mention that many individuals who disagree with Tinker and Freeman, including Harper, do not have significant sources like Peter Martyr, Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, and Bartolome de Las Casas. In fact, the only sources they primarily use are Columbus’s, which are fueled by