Christopher columbus children literature native american

Children’s biographies of Christopher Columbus function as primers on racism and colonialism.

Once Upon a Genocide: Christopher Columbus in Children's ...

These books teach youngsters to accept the right of white people to rule over people of color, of powerful nations to dominate weaker nations. And because the Columbus myth is so pervasive — Columbus’s “discovery” is probably the only historical episode with which all my students at Jefferson High School are familiar — this myth inhibits children from developing democratic, multicultural, and non-racist attitudes.

The Columbus myth goes like this: Long ago there lived a great white man.

This man was very brave, smart, and determined. He loved adventure.

Once Upon a Genocide… - Rethinking Schools

He sailed across the ocean and found many islands with dark skinned people. He took possession of these islands and called the people “Indians.” His name was Christopher Columbus — he discovered America.

Almost without exception this is the portrait of Columbus presented in biographies written for children. They depict the journey to the American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) - Blogger FATYC