Native Americans vs. Europeans and Spaniards

The beginning of chapter fourteen from our world history textbook opens with talk about Native American and Christopher Columbus. Apparently in 1992 Native Americans objected to the celebration of Columbus Day and from further reading they had good reason too and personally I agree with the Native Americans. Winona LaDuke put it in the best words about Columbus, “Columbus was a perpetrator of genocide…. A slave trader, a thief, a pirate, and most certainly not a hero. To celebrate Columbus is to congratulate the process and history of the invasion. (Strayer, pg.403)” LaDuke had some valid points for not celebrating Columbus, after all it was the Europeans and Spaniard’s who brought with them diseases, knowing that the people of the America’s had not been exposed to many animals or other people from other countries. It was sad to read that some of the Native American population died at a rate of 90% in some areas. I think that part that bothered me the most was reading what an observer was saying to Governor Bradford of Plymouth colony in regards to the rapid death of the Native American’s, “such conditions represented the “good hand of god” at work, “sweeping away great multitudes of the natives…. that he might make room for us. (Strayer pg. 407)” How dare someone think that it was god’s way to kill the Natives. It is no wonder why there is war over and about religion. When you throw god’s name under the bus as a justification for harming other individuals it gets people to believe that your religion is satanic. And then for these settlers to force that religion on the remaining Natives is a slap in the face. For the female natives of the Aztec and Incas who did not die, some were forced to marry Spaniard’s just so they can live and in the Spanish households and have children and not be subject to the abuse bestowed upon the natives. So I can see why Native Americans so not want to celebrate Columbus. I understand that if it were not for Columbus then this would not be the United States, but as the same time coming in and claiming something that was not yours to begin with and then to be celebrated over it, is such a joke. Especially when there is evidence out there saying that he knew that natives would not be immune to germs and diseases, but purposely brought those diseases, is ruthless. Not only did they bring diseases and high death rates, they also brought alcohol. The root to all evil for a Native American. I actually did not know how Native Americans had first come into contact with alcohol, but I did know that alcohol created a huge problem for the Native Americans. With alcohol being widely available and their land taken away many natives became reckless and dangerous to others. Also while reading chapter fifteen I came across a section where the Native American where told to choose a side the French-British side or the European side and help them fight for North America. So after all that they still have to die in battle to fight for land that was originally theirs to begin with.