Columbus Day...A day for celebration or a day of annihilation?

Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress

excerpted from a

People's History of the United States

by Howard Zinn

Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island's beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors came ashore, carrying swords, speaking oddly, the Arawaks ran to greet them, brought them food, water, gifts. He later wrote of this in his log:

"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."

These Arawaks of the Bahama Islands were much like Indians on the mainland, who were remarkable (European observers were to say again and again) for their hospitality, their belief in sharing. These traits did not stand out in the Europe of the Renaissance, dominated as it was by the religion of popes, the government of kings, the frenzy for money that marked Western civilization and its first messenger to the Americas, Christopher Columbus.

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?

****

The Indians, Columbus reported, "are so naive and so free with their possessions that no one who has not witnessed them would believe it. When you ask for something they have, they never say no. To the contrary, they offer to share with anyone...." He concluded his report by asking for a little help from their Majesties, and in return he would bring them from his next voyage "as much gold as they need . . . and as many slaves as they ask." He was full of religious talk: "Thus the eternal God, our Lord, gives victory to those who follow His way over apparent impossibilities."

Because of Columbus's exaggerated report and promises, his second expedition was given seventeen ships and more than twelve hundred men. The aim was clear: slaves and gold. They went from island to island in the Caribbean, taking Indians as captives. But as word spread of the Europeans' intent they found more and more empty villages. On Haiti, they found that the sailors left behind at Fort Navidad had been killed in a battle with the Indians, after they had roamed the island in gangs looking for gold, taking women and children as slaves for sex and labor.

Now, from his base on Haiti, Columbus sent expedition after expedition into the interior. They found no gold fields, but had to fill up the ships returning to Spain with some kind of dividend. In the year 1495, they went on a great slave raid, rounded up fifteen hundred Arawak men, women, and children, put them in pens guarded by Spaniards and dogs, then picked the five hundred best specimens to load onto ships. Of those five hundred, two hundred died en route. The rest arrived alive in Spain and were put up for sale by the archdeacon of the town, who reported that, although the slaves were "naked as the day they were born," they showed "no more embarrassment than animals." Columbus later wrote: "Let us in the name of the Holy Trinity go on sending all the slaves that can be sold."

But too many of the slaves died in captivity. And so Columbus, desperate to pay back dividends to those who had invested, had to make good his promise to fill the ships with gold. In the province of Cicao on Haiti, where he and his men imagined huge gold fields to exist, they ordered all persons fourteen years or older to collect a certain quantity of gold every three months. When they brought it, they were given copper tokens to hang around their necks. Indians found without a copper token had their hands cut off and bled to death.

The Indians had been given an impossible task. The only gold around was bits of dust garnered from the streams. So they fled, were hunted down with dogs, and were killed.

Trying to put together an army of resistance, the Arawaks faced Spaniards who had armor, muskets, swords, horses. When the Spaniards took prisoners they hanged them or burned them to death. Among the Arawaks, mass suicides began, with cassava poison. Infants were killed to save them from the Spaniards. 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. They were worked at a ferocious pace, and died by the thousands. By the year 1515, there were perhaps fifty thousand Indians left. By 1550, there were five hundred. A report of the year 1650 shows none of the original Arawaks or their descendants left on the island.

The chief source-and, on many matters the only source-of in formation about what happened on the islands after Columbus came is Bartolome de las Casas, who, as a young priest, participated in the conquest of Cuba. For a time he owned a plantation on which Indian slaves worked, but he gave that up and became a vehement critic of Spanish cruelty.

*****

In Book Two of his History of the Indies, Las Casas (who at first urged replacing Indians by black slaves, thinking they were stronger and would survive, but later relented when he saw the effects on blacks) tells about the treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards. It is a unique account and deserves to be quoted at length:

"Endless testimonies . . . prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives.... But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy; small wonder, then, if they tried to kill one of us now and then.... The admiral, it is true, was blind as those who came after him, and he was so anxious to please the King that he committed irreparable crimes against the Indians..."

Las Casas tells how the Spaniards "grew more conceited every day" and after a while refused to walk any distance. They "rode the backs of Indians if they were in a hurry" or were carried on hammocks by Indians running in relays. "In this case they also had Indians carry large leaves to shade them from the sun and others to fan them with goose wings."

Total control led to total cruelty. The Spaniards "thought nothing of knifing Indians by tens and twenties and of cutting slices off them to test the sharpness of their blades." Las Casas tells how "two of these so-called Christians met two Indian boys one day, each carrying a parrot; they took the parrots and for fun beheaded the boys."

The Indians' attempts to defend themselves failed. And when they ran off into the hills they were found and killed. So, Las Casas reports. "they suffered and died in the mines and other labors in desperate silence, knowing not a soul in the world to whom they could tun for help." He describes their work in the mines:

"... mountains are stripped from top to bottom and bottom to top a thousand times; they dig, split rocks, move stones, and carry dirt on their backs to wash it in the rivers, while those who wash gold stay in the water all the time with their backs bent so constantly it breaks them; and when water invades the mines, the most arduous task of all is to dry the mines by scooping up pansful of water and throwing it up outside....

After each six or eight months' work in the mines, which was the time required of each crew to dig enough gold for melting, up to a third of the men died. While the men were sent many miles away to the mines, the wives remained to work the soil, forced into the excruciating job of digging and making thousands of hills for cassava plants.

Thus husbands and wives were together only once every eight or ten months and when they met they were so exhausted and depressed on both sides . . . they ceased to procreate. As for the newly born, they died early because their mothers, overworked and famished, had no milk to nurse them, and for this reason, while I was in Cuba, 7000 children died in three months. Some mothers even drowned their babies from sheer desperation.... In this way, husbands died in the mines, wives died at work, and children died from lack of milk . . . and in a short time this land which was so great, so powerful and fertile ... was depopulated.... My eyes have seen these acts so foreign to human nature, and now I tremble as I write...."

When he arrived on Hispaniola in 1508, Las Casas says, "there were 60,000 people living on this island, including the Indians; so that from 1494 to 1508, over three million people had perished from war, slavery, and the mines. Who in future generations will believe this? I myself writing it as a knowledgeable eyewitness can hardly believe it...."

Thus began the history, five hundred years ago, of the European invasion of the Indian settlements in the Americas. That beginning, when you read Las Casas-even if his figures are exaggerations (were there 3 million Indians to begin with, as he says, or less than a million, as some historians have calculated, or 8 million as others now believe?) is conquest, slavery, death. When we read the history books given to children in the United States, it all starts with heroic adventure-there is no bloodshed-and Columbus Day is a celebration.

*****

The treatment of heroes (Columbus) and their victims (the Arawaks) the quiet acceptance of conquest and murder in the name of progress-is only one aspect of a certain approach to history, in which the past is told from the point of view of governments, conquerors, diplomats, leaders. It is as if they, like Columbus, deserve universal acceptance, as if they-the Founding Fathers, Jackson, Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Kennedy, the leading members of Congress, the famous Justices of the Supreme Court-represent the nation as a whole. The pretense is that there really is such a thing as "the United States," subject to occasional conflicts and quarrels, but fundamentally a community of people with common interests. It is as if there really is a "national interest" represented in the Constitution, in territorial expansion, in the laws passed by Congress, the decisions of the courts, the development of capitalism, the culture of education and the mass media.

"History is the memory of states," wrote Henry Kissinger in his first book, A World Restored, in which he proceeded to tell the history of nineteenth-century Europe from the viewpoint of the leaders of Austria and England, ignoring the millions who suffered from those states men's policies. From his standpoint, the "peace" that Europe had before the French Revolution was "restored" by the diplomacy of a few national leaders.

But for factory workers in England, farmers in France, colored people in Asia and Africa, women and children everywhere except in the upper classes, it was a world of conquest, violence, hunger, exploitation-a world not restored but disintegrated.

*****

When the Pilgrims came to New England they too were coming not to vacant land but to territory inhabited by tribes of Indians. The governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, created the excuse to take Indian land by declaring the area legally a "vacuum." The Indians, he said, had not "subdued" the land, and therefore had only a "natural" right to it, but not a "civil right." A "natural right" did not have legal standing.

The Puritans also appealed to the Bible, Psalms 2:8: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee, the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." And to justify their use of force to take the land, they cited Romans 13:2: "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

*****

The Indian population of 10 million that lived north of Mexico when Columbus came would ultimately be reduced to less than a million. Huge numbers of Indians would die from diseases introduced by the whites. A Dutch traveler in New Netherland wrote in 1656 that "the Indians . . . affirm, that before the arrival of the Christians, and before the smallpox broke out amongst them, they were ten times as numerous as they now are, and that their population had been melted down by this disease, whereof nine-tenths of them have died." When the English first settled Martha's Vineyard in 1642, the Wampanoags there numbered perhaps three thousand. There were no wars on that island, but by 1764, only 313 Indians were left there. Similarly, Block Island Indians numbered perhaps 1,200 to 1,500 in 1662, and by 1774 were reduced to fifty-one.

Behind the English invasion of North America, behind their massacre of Indians, their deception, their brutality, was that special powerful drive born in civilizations based on private property. It was a morally ambiguous drive; the need for space, for land, was a real human need. But in conditions of scarcity, in a barbarous epoch of history ruled by competition, this human need was transformed into the murder of whole peoples.

Toliet Monster - Halloween Party Must Have

If you are throwing a Halloween party, you must get one of these! Fabulously funny and guaranteed to scare the crap out of your guests!

http://www.amazon.com/Unknown-Toilet-Monster/dp/B000OUV5XM

Best Under Eye Cream Part Deux

My new favorite eye cream is Kiehl's Avocado Eye Treatment. My under eyes were getting dry using the Clarins one mentioned in Part 1. If you are in need of major hydration then step into this! I would recommend waiting a few minutes before putting anything over it (i.e., concealer) as its a takes a while to soak in. It is only $25.00 at your nearest department store and so far has been great.

I do not know if it will help with long term under eye aging or if it has any ingredients to help your under eyes but so far I am hooked!

Ah’-voh-KAH-doh OY-il

Avocado Oil, derived from the fruit of a tropical American tree, is a rich, fatty-acid emollient. Avocado Oil is known to be the most moisturizing of any fruit oil. It is also a natural source of Amino Acid proteins, Vitamins A, D, E, and potassium. Helps to restore the natural moisture of the skin.

BAY-tuh KA-ruh’-teen

Beta-Carotene is a naturally derived antioxidant predominantly found in many orange/red vegetables such as carrots. It is used in Vitamin A production and gives an orange tint when used in skin care products.

SHAY BUH-t'r

Shea Butter is the natural fat obtained from the fruit of the African Karate tree and is widely used in lotions and cleansing products for its hydrating properties. Protects skin from dehydration, restores skin's suppleness and improves the appearance of dry skin.

Jewelmint

Push marketing is all the craze it seems. Kim Kardashian's Shoe Dazzle was first to market and now enter Kate Bosworth's Jewelmint (www.jewelmint.com).

I signed up for it last night. Took a little 'style' quiz and then was given a jewelry selection based on my answers. Results were hit or miss.

It's cool that you are under no pressure to buy, no contracts, and you can end the subscription at any time. For me, the selection of jewelry was good (not excellent) but I ultimately couldn't bring myself to pay $30 for a tiny pair of post earrings. I'm also a little disappointed that materials for the jewelry aren't listed. Not that I'm expecting jewels and silver/gold, but it's nice to see what I would be paying for.

Anyways, not entirely wowed by this month's selection but I'm willing to ride this out for another couple of months and see what happens.

Here are some of my selections for this month:

Clinique High Lengths Mascara

I just purchased the new Clinique mascara from Nordstrom and so far so good! Its has a fine tooth comb to separate lashes and it DOES NOT clump!

Best Under Eye Cream- Part 1

I have been on the hunt for the best under eye cream. When I say best, I mean takes care of: under-eye circles, darkness, puffiness, brightens, smooths...pretty much gives me flawless skin.

I have recently purchased Dermalogica Total Eye Care SPF 15.

Supposedly it does the following:

• Provides smoothing and firming to the skin around the eye.
• Provides non-chemical sun protection to the delicate eye area.
• Light diffusers diminish the appearance of dark circles, helping the eye area appear fresh and translucent.

Well, this should be perfect for me. I love that is has a slight tint to it, so really you wake up not looking as dead as you are. My problem is that I don't necessarily need the SPF at night.

In come Clarins Extra- Firming Eye Serum.


It does the following:

Lightweight, gentle formula is easily absorbed

Diminishes look of puffiness and dark circles

Eyes look rested and refreshed

I have combined both of these for a..m. use and only use the Clarins at night.

Stay tuned for the results...
And please, if you have a good one, let me know and I will try it out!

Secret Designer Sales

So, the new thing in online shopping involves 2 trends:

1) secret, invitation-only designer sales ala Gilt Groupe and RueLaLa

2) customization ala Shop It To Me

Of course, being the savvy online shopper that I am, I have tried out both trends. Now the examples I listed above are by no means a comprehensive list. I have also tried Top Secret and Ideeli. I think the examples I listed above are the best, most widely used. 

Gilt Groupe

Designer sales beginning at 9 am PST/12 noon EST. You got to be ready at 8:59 am to get anything good. These sales are ruthless. In my experience, it's been really hard to get anything in my size. I don't know how it happens, but even at 9:00 am PST, things are already sold out. Still, the merchandise comes in a cool GILT box and everyone at work waits with anticipation to see what you got. I think it's a lot of fun even though it's extremely difficult to get my size. 

RueLaLa

Same concept as Gilt though I find it easier to shop. Probably less saturated? They will typically have more 'affordable' designers compared to Gilt. Like Free People and Plenty. 

Shop It To Me

Customization! Do you wear hard to find sizes? If so, this is the place for you. Basically, you set your customization settings: your sizes, your favorite designers, and/or favorite online shopping sites. SITM then sends you daily emails with sale clothes that fit that description. Makes online shopping easy and less time consuming. They are based out of San Francisco.

Anyways, recommend trying all 3. For invitations to Gilt or RueLaLa, just holla at me. I'll give you the hook up!

Shoe Dazzle: Follow Up

So as promised, I am giving you my thoughts on the shoedazzle experience.

My shoes arrived today in a cute box in shades of purple, with a pink shoe bag inside, purple tissue encasing the shoes. Very girly.
The shoe designer is Michael Antonio (don't know him), and the shoes is a black flat with gold hardware. To be honest the shoe seems to be made a little poor and is wide, so if you were wearing them all day it probably won't be comfortable.


Final Decision: Sending them back and paying the $5.95 re-stocking fee...unhappily I might add.
I will try another pair next month because perhaps I did not order the right shoe.


P.S. Based on the questionnaire I filled out, these were my other selections for the month. Yours would be different unless you answered as I did, which is highly doubtful!

Shoe Dazzle

So this is my first month of ordering shoes from my personal stylist on shoedazzle.com (ran by Kim Kardashian). I am really excited to get the shoe I picked for this month and will do a follow up post once I receive and review them.

Here is a little blurb from their website on how it works. The $39 does include shipping and returns.

"ShoeDazzle is a monthly membership society. Every month, for just $39, you will receive an extraordinary pair of shoes. The shoes are handpicked for you by our fashion experts. There is no obligation to purchase shoes once you register, and you are charged only after you choose your first pair of shoes. In any month, you may choose to "Skip This Month" in your account section."

Happy 50th Birthday Barbie!

Barbie turns 50 today! Inventor Ruth Handler introduced the fashion doll at the American International Toy Fair on March 9. 1959. The doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Handler named her after her daughter Barbara, who was the inspiration behind the making of the first real adult doll for children to play with. The doll has made a killing for Mattel, despite almost annual controversies.

And it was just over twenty years ago that we played with ours. Here's to Peaches n' Cream and Jewels Secret and Barbie and the Rockers and Skipper and Ken (the plastic and real hair ones.)

Here's to the Barbie Ferrari (Lisa's) and the Barbie Corvette (Michele's). Here's to begging moms to buy new clothes at every opportunity. Here's to finding missing plastic heels on the carpet.

And here's to Barbie's Blog: http://www.alldolldup.typepad.com/