Howard Zinn quoting Columbus’ diary after first encountering native people on Hispaniola:

“They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features… They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane… They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”

#Columbus #IndigenousPeoplesDay #colonialism #genocide #history