Columbus is often a child's first lesson about encounters between different cultures and races. The murky legend of a brave adventurer tells children whose version of history to accept, and whose to ignore. It says nothing about the brutality of the European invasion of North America.We need to listen to a wider range of voices. We need to hear from those whose lands and rights were taken away by those who "discovered" them. Their stories, too often suppressed, tell of 500 years of courageous struggle, and the lasting wisdom of native peoples. Understanding what really happened to them in 1492 is key to understanding why people suffer the same injustices today.More than 80 essays, poems, interviews, historical vignettes, and lesson plans reevaluate the myth of Columbus and issues of indigenous rights. Rethinking Columbus is packed with useful teaching ideas for kindergarten through college.

    history from the Mexican American perspective, including long before 1776, 1830-1910 conquest and colonization, Mexican Revolution, the poor of Mexico were wanted up North, in occupied America, 1929-1960, World War II, strikes, the Zoot Suit riots, stereotypes, culture (viva nuestra cultura), the movement (el movimiento), Raza Unida party, rolling back gains of the 60s, justice for farmworkers, immigration in the 80s, boom in the arts.