1492. As children we were taught to memorize this year with pride and joy as the year people began living full and imaginative lives on the continent of North America. Actually, people had been living full and imaginative lives on the continent of North America for hundreds of years before that. 1492 was simply the year sea pirates began to rob, cheat, and kill them.

Summary

This quote challenges the traditional narrative surrounding the year 1492 and the discovery of North America. It suggests that prior to this year, indigenous people had already been living vibrant lives on the continent, contrary to the notion that their existence began with the arrival of European colonizers. The quote further emphasizes the negative impact of colonization, describing the arrival of sea pirates who engaged in oppression and violence against the indigenous populations. In essence, the quote highlights the perspective that the history of the Americas is deeper and more complex than is often portrayed.

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