From Christopher Columbus' Journal, 11 October, 1492:
"It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion. They very quickly learn such words as are spoken to them. If it please our Lord, I intend at my return to carry home six of them to your Highnesses, that they may learn our language. I saw no beasts in the island, nor any sort of animals except parrots." These are the words of the Admiral."
I find it terrifying that, though the Admiral of Columbus' crew states that the Native people he encounters are quick to learn, the crew appears to hold conversion to Christianity as a prerogative. This mentality has oozed from the "New World's" wounds since--the act of colonization through cultural imperialism is still present in this country, as we officially encourage a nationalistic embrace of such mottoes as "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum".
"Out of many, one." It's funny that a culture so focused on quantity could maintain homogeny as a virtue.
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