Armando Venegas

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I dedicate a unit to Christopher Columbus, after a unit on the various Indigenous groups that existed before his arrival, and use The People vs. Columbus lesson.

Our overarching question is “What should be the legacy of Columbus?” Overwhelmingly our students usually decide that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and Columbus were most responsible for this genocide.

Students who struggle to write are most engaged and excited to share their ideas when we’re using Zinn Education Project lessons.

Related Resources
The People vs. Columbus, et al. (Lesson) | Zinn Education Project
Teaching Activities (Free)

The People vs. Columbus, et al.

Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow with contributions from members of the Taíno Community. Rethinking Schools. 13 pages.
A trial role play asks students to determine who is responsible for the death of millions of Taínos on the island of Hispaniola in the late 15th century.

Articles

Christopher Columbus: No Monuments for Murderers

Article. By Bill Bigelow. If We Knew Our History series.
As the debate about taking down statues and monuments grows, we also need to challenge the fundamental structures of ownership, power, and privilege that have given us such a skewed constellation of heroes and holidays.