This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Thanks to council

Fri., Sept. 9, 2016

I want to thank the City Council for voting to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I remember going to Western movies at Saturday matinees in the 1940s. I came away thinking the Indians were bad people. It wasn’t until I went to college that I learned that the opposite was true.

Over the years, the more I learned about the true history of the discovery and exploration of the Americas, the more appalled I became.

Though Columbus was an Italian, he sailed for the king and queen of Spain. Many of the explorers who followed him to this continent were Spaniards. I must say they did not exemplify the true spirit of Christianity. In fact, they were devils of the worst kind. What they did to the indigenous peoples was unbelievably horrid.

Merrilee Foley

Spokane

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

No more than 250 words
We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form: Submit your letter here
Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email: letters@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-5098
Phone: (509) 459-5403