In response to Greg Odum’s thoughts on Columbus Day (“American history is not objective,” SN 10/11) and those who sympathize with him, the purpose of my writing is to clarify.

Are you ready for the truth? The truth is that the weak - Native Americans - fell to the strong - Europeans. That is the objective truth. Your “truth” is subjective and therefore not the truth. What happened is what happened, what we think about it is just what we think about it. Yes, Columbus didn’t “discover” America, but he sparked the European interest that, leaving out much objective history for time’s sake, has resulted in you and I speaking English, being influenced by European thought - European ideas of government and society have led to the creation of this land of freedom and opportunity - and enjoying one of the best standards of living and medical service on the planet. Have Native Americans suffered and continue to suffer? Of course, tremendously. The trail of history is, in fact, bloody on all sides.

Now that we have established the real truth, should the date of Columbus’ landing be recognized? What happened, happened; his “discovery” led the way to the present day. The date is significant to all of us. Should this date and the man be celebrated? This is the United States with a Constitution written in English prose and all, what do you think?

Brandon Whitbread
social science senior