Stories of Origin: A People's History of America

  

"Landing of Columbus" by John Vanderlyn (1847). Commissioned for the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, this painting depicts Christopher Columbus's first landing in the New World. It is a classic example of the heroic and idealized narrative often used in Western art to glorify conquest.

"People’s histories offer critical perspectives that reveal the complexities and injustices of the past, ultimately shaping our understanding of American identity and history. Telling history from the colonizer’s perspective often glorifies conquest and overlooks the suffering of the colonized. While Columbus is often celebrated for discovering America in 1492, this narrative of his bravery, exploration, and heroism portray him as a pioneering figure who opened the New World to European civilization. In contrast, viewing history from the perspective of the colonized highlights the injustices and violence they endured. This affects our understanding of American history and identity by revealing the complexities and moral ambiguities of historical events. People’s histories offer a more nuanced and critical perspective, revealing the complexities and injustices of the past. Reflecting on these diverse origin stories can profoundly influence our understanding of American identity and history. It encourages us to question dominant narratives and appreciate the rich tapestry of perspectives that make our past. So how might our understanding of American identity change if we more fully embraced the diverse origin stories and perspectives of all its people?" -Justin T., 11th Grade

"Like many Americans before me, I was once in awe of the great navigator Columbus, who was credited with discovering the New World and leaving behind a monumental historical legacy. However, the truth was far more complex than I realized. As revealed in A People's History of the United States, Columbus wrote:  "'As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.' The information that Columbus wanted most was: Where is the gold?” Zinn goes on to describe the devastating consequences of Columbus' quest for gold: “...In two years, through murder, mutilation, or suicide, half of the 250,000 Indians on Haiti were dead. When it became clear that there was no gold left, the Indians were taken as slave labor on huge estates, known later as encomiendas.” The brutality didn’t stop there: “While I was in Cuba, 7000 children died in three months." These passages reveal the atrocities committed by the invaders. Every event and every number represents the fall of a living being. The Europeans, blinded by their desire for gold and power, exploited the Indigenous people, leaving them homeless and broken. Despite this, the Europeans clung to the belief that they were glorifying the discovery of the New World for the benefit of mankind. This leads to the conclusion that European myths often emphasize conquest and discovery, while the suffering of others is downplayed or ignored in their histories."-Sunny L., 11th Grade 

"Almost everyone has heroes they idolized in childhood. These heroes could be scientists, soldiers, characters, and so on. Most people have heard about Columbus' great accomplishments and because of his discovery of the American continent, Americans have celebrated Columbus Day every year for the past two hundred years. However, in recent years, more and more people have begun to focus on the colonial tragedy behind the legend of Columbus. In Columbus' legends, he was the first European to sight the Bahamas archipelago and then the island later named Hispaniola. He also discovered the Caribbean and America. People tell his story because he was a brave explorer and a representative of adventure and ambition. But that is not all he is. Apart from his accomplishments, there are many missing and downplayed parts in people’s accounts of his legends. These narratives obscure his impact on Indigenous peoples, such as violence, enslavement, and the spread of disease." -Ingrid J., 11th Grade

Works Cited: Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States and The Iroquois Creation Myth)