Columbus, Casas, and de Vaca...oh my!

I always find the back stories behind each work, author, title, etc. much more entertaining than the actual work itself. I like that, through research, a person from today can put himself (or herself) in someone's else's shoes 50, 200, or even 500 years ago. The problem with this reading is...I really don't know just what these explorers could have been thinking to travel half way across the world to a place so different from home not once, not twice, but several times. I mean, Columbus had the misfortune of having over half his crew completely despise him on one voyage and then poor Casas was ignored for four years because he believed slavery of the Indians was unjust and cruel. These guys really could not catch a break. It makes me wonder, though, what happened with the natives in the Americas? We never really get a complete look into the their emotions.What did they feel, think, experience? 

Kevin Cosner, the narrator/host for the videos below, probably put it into perspective the best: there was a certain awe from both sides of the boat, so to speak. I liked that these videos drew quotes from all three explorers we were asked to read. In addition, it clarified both the explorers and natives feelings during the time period. The natives were amazed by the white skin of the explorers and attempted to gain these explorers as trading partners, while the explorers viewed the natives as a people to be dominated and controlled. It puts a different spin on the readings, I think. I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I did because they tie in with the readings so well. In De Vaca's account, we realize that these natives were people. Yes, they had "strange" customs when compared to the Old World's reasoning, but, really, the Europeans believed that the best way to cure someone of a disease was through "bleeding." Who can say who's customs are stranger? In the end, two worlds collided and were forced to operate together. The Europeans, also called Christians in some of the texts, treat the natives as inferior and do not try to aid them in any way, shape or form. The natives, meanwhile, were forced to flea for safety, as mentioned in Casas account. When it's all tied in together, though, it appears as if all three explorers, were more focused on their Christian kinsmen than the natives plight. Casas never fully aids the natives by stopping any of the cruelties inflicted upon them. Likewise, Columbus is more focused on his personal reputation in the King's and Queen's eyes being ruined. I think what I learned the most from these readings and videos was the complete inability for both sides of the boat to extend hands and work as one to a better cause.