25 September 2007

Ol' Man Columbus

I apologize for this being the second quote I've found using one of my textbooks that I've decided to post, but it struck me in such a way that I just had to share it. Christopher Columbus wasn't the hero he's portrayed as, and Americans are slowly starting to realize that, but this quote is phenomenal.

They... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks' bells. They willingly traded everything they owned... They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features... They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane... They would make fine servants... With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.

I know this was written in a completely different era from our own, but still.

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