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AIBU?

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Original poster

Cristopher Colombia in primary school curriculum

212 replies

Donotfitin · 24/02/2026 17:24

So the school just sent the curriculum
for my DS year (Y1). They called him a “significant explorer”. I immediately queried it, because as a Latin American he’s seen as a very divisive figure who brought rape, disease, and genocide. In my country (Mexico) we’ve completely removed that date from
our calendar, and the statues, etc… have now been removed.

I‘m not against it, but I just want a nuanced approach. So AIBU?

OP posts:
RightOnTheEdge · 24/02/2026 17:35

TheGoddessAthena · 24/02/2026 17:26

Maybe they'll teach the kids to spell his name?

It was obvious to anyone with even half a brain cell, that is was autocorrected 🙄

surrealpotato · 24/02/2026 17:32

Donotfitin · 24/02/2026 17:24

So the school just sent the curriculum
for my DS year (Y1). They called him a “significant explorer”. I immediately queried it, because as a Latin American he’s seen as a very divisive figure who brought rape, disease, and genocide. In my country (Mexico) we’ve completely removed that date from
our calendar, and the statues, etc… have now been removed.

I‘m not against it, but I just want a nuanced approach. So AIBU?

Well who says it won't be nuanced?

Whether you like it or not, he is an extremely significant historical figure.

Original poster
Donotfitin · 24/02/2026 17:31

AWedgeOfLemonAndASmartAnswerForEverything · 24/02/2026 17:29

Which version? Cristoforo Colombo was his birth name, the Spanish called him Cristobal Colón.

@Donotfitin I agree that in this day and age there needs to be a more nuanced approach to teaching about colonialism (not jolly-good-show explorers like it was when I was in primary school). Maybe ask for the topic curriculum?

Show quote history

Yes, that’s what I asked for. I also included an article written by the Mexican Commission for Human Rights about him.

OP posts:
Moreteanow · 24/02/2026 17:31

TheGoddessAthena · 24/02/2026 17:26

Maybe they'll teach the kids to spell his name?

So unnecessary 🙄

Cherrysoup · 24/02/2026 17:31

AWedgeOfLemonAndASmartAnswerForEverything · 24/02/2026 17:29

Which version? Cristoforo Colombo was his birth name, the Spanish called him Cristobal Colón.

@Donotfitin I agree that in this day and age there needs to be a more nuanced approach to teaching about colonialism (not jolly-good-show explorers like it was when I was in primary school). Maybe ask for the topic curriculum?

Show quote history

Cross posted!

Cherrysoup · 24/02/2026 17:30

TheGoddessAthena · 24/02/2026 17:26

Maybe they'll teach the kids to spell his name?

So Cristobal Colon? Or one of the other multiple spellings that have been seen?

AWedgeOfLemonAndASmartAnswerForEverything · 24/02/2026 17:29

TheGoddessAthena · 24/02/2026 17:26

Maybe they'll teach the kids to spell his name?

Which version? Cristoforo Colombo was his birth name, the Spanish called him Cristobal Colón.

@Donotfitin I agree that in this day and age there needs to be a more nuanced approach to teaching about colonialism (not jolly-good-show explorers like it was when I was in primary school). Maybe ask for the topic curriculum?

Moreteanow · 24/02/2026 17:29

Raise it with school - you’re spot on with this.

Cherrysoup · 24/02/2026 17:29

Yanbu. He was geographically incompetent, claimed he had landed in India when he was in South America, had slaves and treated them extremely poorly. I don’t get the (north) American obsession with him.

What will be taught about him? I would not be happy with him being seen as a ‘significant’ explorer when there were other far more competent explorers at the time.

Original poster
Donotfitin · 24/02/2026 17:28

TheGoddessAthena · 24/02/2026 17:26

Maybe they'll teach the kids to spell his name?

That was autocorrect but Colombia was named after him soooo

OP posts:
Sartre · 24/02/2026 17:26

I’d be against him depicted as anything other than the murderous coloniser he was.

TheGoddessAthena · 24/02/2026 17:26

Maybe they'll teach the kids to spell his name?

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