513 years - discovery or slavery?

Today it´s supposedly 513 years since Mr Columbus (of whatever origin he was, spanish, italian, or portuguese) discovered America and everything that came with it.
But has it been 513 years of cool discovery of other cultures or years of slavery beneath the European oligarchy?

Will never, ever forget when (during my US year) walking in on campus area the morning of Columbus Day - in Latin america named Dia de la Ráza - and seeing the flags of all Latinamerican countries. It gave me goose bumps. Same thing happened when I got to visit what - supposedly - is Columbus grave, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Anyhow, being a total blend of European entrepreneurs/convicts/dreamers who came to the New World in search of a better life and riches, and latinamerican natives - and hopefully there might be fugitive african slaves way back - is quite cool. It´s like belonging everywhere and nowhere.

Well, Feliz Cumpleaños Americas!
And remember, many of the treasures the Europeans claims are theirs, are actually of American origin:
- coffee
- cocoa/chocolate
- chili
- sugar
- sabor!!!!!