Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

The story that we learned about Christopher Columbus could not be further from the truth. He was a colonizer, enslaver, and sex trafficker who committed genocide against Indigenous Peoples. Don’t believe me? Listen in and decide for yourself.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Common myths about Christopher Columbus
  • The 3 reasons why Columbus’ crusade was different from others who had traveled to the Americas
  • What happened once Columbus arrived
  • The origins of Columbus Day in the United States
  • Ideas about what we should do in response to this violent history

Trigger Warning Violence against BIPOC

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Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen (affiliate link)

Rethinking Columbus

How Columbus Sailed into U.S. History, Thanks to Italians

Who Were the Olmec?

Whose History Matters? Students Can Name Columbus, But Most Have Never Heard of the Taino People

Taino: Indigenous Carribeans

Christopher Columbus and the Doctrine of Discovery

Resource Guide: Abolish Columbus Day: Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

UN Definition of Genocide

The History of Columbus Day

Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN