Teach Christopher Columbus facts
A statue of Christopher Columbus, seen through the window of The Shops at Columbus Circle. Credit: Craig Ruttle
Kudos to the Southampton school board for adding Indigenous People Day to the school calendar [“Recognizing the indigenous,” News, Feb. 16].
For years, Southampton schools have been teaching the true story of who Christopher Columbus was and the atrocities he ordered while in command. The students, including my grandchildren, participated in mock trails in which Columbus was found guilty of ordering the torture and enslavement of natives.
The Spanish king and queen Columbus served issued the Spanish Requirement of 1513, which told indigenous people to recognize the Catholic Church and the Spanish crown. The order justified the Spanish making war and enslaving native people.
True history is what really happened. It’s not just the parts that certain groups deem worthy of teaching.
Kathleen Kane, Southampton
