Yesterday was Columbus Day in America. While I would be happy to accept any holiday pay had my company offered it, I do not celebrate this holiday. Perhaps an open letter to Mr. Columbus himself will help you realize why...
Dear Mr. Christopher Columbus,
While sailing three vessels that do not have GPS, luxury bedrooms and radar across the ocean to the Caribbean was an amazing feat, some credit has to be given to the crew who supported you as well as the queen who financed your trip. Without them, there would be no enslavement of the peaceful Arawak people. You should not take all the credit.
I do not come to you to complain, however. I offer a solution. Yes, I realize that what's done is done, but going forward you may want to heed my advice and not be so egotistical.
There were three ships, which make you, technically speaking, an admiral. Quite frankly, this is something you should have played up more. Also, you should have branded your expedition. Perhaps having Richard Branson sponsor you so you could sail under the Virgin Atlantic flag. Sir Richard Brason, a respected adventurer as well, is a brilliant business man and marketer. If you'd done this, our holiday may have been called "Virgin Slave Campaign Day." Instead of people now protesting you solely, we would be speaking of the Virgin brand, which their legal and marketing staff could take care of.
And speaking of slaves, is it really necessary to cut off a man's ears AND nose before you sell him in to slavery as a punishment? History would have forgotten this whole incident if you'd simply sold him off without defacing him (no pun intended!).
If you'd had a corporate sponsor, these PR nightmares could have been avoided and their lawyers would have kept you from having to return to Spain chained up like some dirty Indian.
Mr. Columbus, if there is such thing as reincarnation then please don't make these mistakes again.
Signed,
Tim
Dear Mr. Christopher Columbus,
While sailing three vessels that do not have GPS, luxury bedrooms and radar across the ocean to the Caribbean was an amazing feat, some credit has to be given to the crew who supported you as well as the queen who financed your trip. Without them, there would be no enslavement of the peaceful Arawak people. You should not take all the credit.
I do not come to you to complain, however. I offer a solution. Yes, I realize that what's done is done, but going forward you may want to heed my advice and not be so egotistical.
There were three ships, which make you, technically speaking, an admiral. Quite frankly, this is something you should have played up more. Also, you should have branded your expedition. Perhaps having Richard Branson sponsor you so you could sail under the Virgin Atlantic flag. Sir Richard Brason, a respected adventurer as well, is a brilliant business man and marketer. If you'd done this, our holiday may have been called "Virgin Slave Campaign Day." Instead of people now protesting you solely, we would be speaking of the Virgin brand, which their legal and marketing staff could take care of.
And speaking of slaves, is it really necessary to cut off a man's ears AND nose before you sell him in to slavery as a punishment? History would have forgotten this whole incident if you'd simply sold him off without defacing him (no pun intended!).
If you'd had a corporate sponsor, these PR nightmares could have been avoided and their lawyers would have kept you from having to return to Spain chained up like some dirty Indian.
Mr. Columbus, if there is such thing as reincarnation then please don't make these mistakes again.
Signed,
Tim
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