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Christopher Columbus had a very significant impact on the
history of the world because he was willing to try what no one else had done
before. The consequences of his boldness
are apparent in virtually every society today as we have new goods and foods introduced
from the New World, completely different countries, and cultures. His voyage wasn't without difficulty; because
even for him to begin he had to go to a couple royal families for funding. When he was rejected, he did not give up
either - he continued. We can take a
leaf from Columbus’ book and be bold.
The greatest inventions today are widespread not because
someone had a great idea and sat on it, but rather had an idea and tried it
out. Many times their attempts didn't
even work. Just consider Thomas
Edison: he’s famous for paving the way
for light bulbs and his saying, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” If Thomas Edison had given up or never even
tried, we would live in a very different world.
If Christopher Columbus he hadn't crossed the ocean, the world would also
be different. Likewise, the world will
be different if we don’t try out our own ideas and innovate. We must be bold.
I think that the renaissance was indeed characterized by many bold geniuses. With backing from the wealthy it was amazing to see the feats created by men like Di Vinci, Brunelleschi and Donatelo. Brunelleschi's dome took over 15 years to complete and people had so little confidence that it could be done that would make promises saying that they would keep their word until the dome was finished. But, even after having been put in jail, and fought against by his personal enemies and the men that worked under him, he managed to complete the project.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it should be mentioned too, "Use boldness, but not overbearance."
ReplyDeleteIn his letter regarding the "First Voyage" to Luis de Santangel (Feb. 15, 1493), Columbus says (after landing on a Bahamian island), "I sent two men inland to learn if there were a king or great cities. They traveled three days' journey and found an infinity of small hamlets and people without number, but nothing of importance. For this reason they returned."
Nothing of importance!?
Columbus's marginalization of the natives--along with his fixation on the fertile lands, gold and mineral deposits, and beautiful green landscapes--led to the future marginalization, and even murder (e.g. Cortes attacking the Nawah Aztecs), of many Central and North American Natives.
The renaissance emphasized the creativity and good that every human being can contribute to society and culture. Men like Alvar Nunez (Cabeza de Vaca) understood the depth of Native American culture and generosity because he took the time see what they could contribute; he acknowledged their humanity.
I don't mean to rain on your Columbus parade, but I do mean to emphasize the fact that boldness should be used on behalf of bettering mankind--and not just yourself or your political affiliation. If Columbus had stopped to think about labeling a "people without number" as "nothing of importance," before he gave the best real estate pitch that he could (for a land he didn't "own") to all of Hispaniola, then history would be quite different. Putting our efforts, foremost, toward bettering Humanity (term used very inclusively), that's where we should begin our boldness.
I agree with you. Columbus had some pretty big faults. I also believe that there is something to be learned from everyone: whether it be what to do or what not to do. Instead of going into all the terrible things that Columbus did because of racism and pride, I choose to learn from what he did right. Like you said, "we must use boldness, but not overbearance." I also believe that when one is overbearing they are not then bold, but rather arrogant and domineering. Being bold is having confidence, not cockiness; it is being venturous, not brazen nor rash. When Columbus crossed the Ocean he was being bold. When he abused the natives he was being tyrannical.
DeleteBe bold.