Better people than Drake should be commemorated

In his letter to the editor published Sept. 21, Scott Chapman paints a generous picture of Francis Drake, though there’s no denying he was a slave trader and a pirate.

Historically pirates have been defined as thieves who plied their trade on the sea or by raiding coastal towns. In his early years, when he took slaves from West Africa to the Caribbean, Drakematched that description. It was a time when pirates committed acts of raw brutality. Even the modern definition of piracy is derogatory. Piracy of music, software and other copyrighted material is still harmful, even if not as lethal.

It’s true that Drake appeared to improve his behavior in later years. His local stop on the way to circumnavigate the globe was reportedly peaceful. That may have been pragmatic.

After plundering and pillaging Spanish towns along the coast, he needed help from the Coast Miwok Indians to repair and provision his ship, the Golden Hind. While he was at it, he claimed the land for England.

A year later, he sailed home to great acclaim. Queen Elizabeth 1 knighted him. He helped defeat the Spanish Armada. It was all downhill from there.

His attempted raid on Portugal was a failure. His final expedition against the Spanish in the Caribbean was crippled by disease to which he succumbed. He was buried at sea.

Drake deserves a place in our history books. But is his career one that we should perpetuate on road signs, schools and athletic uniforms? I believe there are better people to celebrate.

— Martin Russell, Mill Valley