Just thought I'd mention something that is bugging me. The news today has been filled with "Columbus was a horrible guy." Oddly, the two major reasons for this claim are, according to these articles, is that he:

• Really thought he was in India and named Native Americans thus
• Brought smallpox to the New World, thereby decimating populations

Okay... Well, I was just thinking about how this seems like two pretty horrid reasons to refuse to celebrate Columbus Day or to make students put Columbus on a mock trial (several schools do this, and invariably find him guilty of crimes ranging from genocide to misrepresenting the Crown. Sentences range from life in prison to execution).
Simple facts.

1. No, he did not "discover" America in the literal sense, since others lived there and in fact other Caucasians had been there centuries before. However, no one knew of this land--at least not in Europe. Albeit accidentally, Columbus brought the New World into the limelight and changed history.
2. While he did not prove his (and other people's) theory that the world is round by sailing all the way to India, his trip did also push forward the debate and appeared to inspire others to try the same.
3. Why is smallpox always held against him? If I accidentally give you a cold because I was carrying it but didn't realize it, am I an evil guy? What about all those people who travel to Mexico, drink water, and become sick? That must mean the Mexicans are evil because their normal flora makes us sick! Just seems ridiculous to blame someone for that, especially considering that smallpox nearly decimated the Caucasian population in America as well, and remained a massive threat until the vaccine allowed us to eradicate it.
4. This is not a response to a complaint, but Columbus's own diary has some interesting parts about how he viewed the native population. He seemed excited to meet them and, while he did discuss possibly converting them to his religion, he did not in any way suggest using force; he felt they would be quite friendly and open-minded. Future explorers were not so kind or understanding (read: conquistadors).

So I guess I am trying to just say that I hate revisionist history. At one point, Columbus was a hero. Now he is an evil man who should not even be mentioned except as the bringer of TEH SMALLPOX OMG! Did he do things that were bad? Oh, I'm sure. Did he screw up some? Of course. Guess what? He was a human, and humans tend to do that kind of thing for some crazy reason. Face it, if it weren't for him, history may have been drastically different, and quite possibly in a bad way. Accept that, and don't go saying he was a totally mean and evil guy.