"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." That almost sums up what American's are taught about Christopher Columbus. He is known in The United States as a hero, the Spanish explorer who "discovered" the New World, starting the Americas as we know them today. From the time one enters grade school to the time one graduates from high school in the United States, Americans are taught that Columbus was a courageous, determined man who sailed to the Americas because of his love for adventure. However, behind this glorious tale of Columbus's great adventure is a horrific reality. Columbus was more a villain than a hero, responsible for stealing both the land that we live on today and caused the deaths and disruption many indigenous people. The destruction that he caused harmed many, and is still evident today.

The most obvious of Columbus' spoilage is the killing and enslavement of...