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RSS FeedShould the US continue to honor Columbus Day?
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| No | 58% | 640 votes | Total: 1111 votes | |
| Yes | 42% | 471 votes |
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Add to FavoritesI have a personal opinion about this since I am a mixed blood Native American. When growing up, all I heard was about Christopher Columbus discovering America. Then, it came to having Columbus Day to honor Christopher Columbus discovering America. I do agree that Christopher Columbus is a part of our country's history, however, what about what the Native American's brought forth to our history? They were the true founding fathers of this country that we call United States Of America, today.
Many people have called us savages throughout our history, due to the way people portrayed us back in those days, yet we had a right to protect our lands that were being invaded and our families way of life, as well. It was no different back in those times and terms, as it was when we, Americans, got attacked on Pearl Harbor and the day of 9/11. Many fail to see, that Native Americans have not been seen or treated as politically correct in this country when it comes to terms as to whom found America and their way of life, which had been taken away from them.
We have Veterans Day, which honors all of our Military. In which, many Native Americans have fought for this country and it's freedom. Just look at the Navajo Code Talkers. We could have not won that war, if it wasn't for them. I know that the Native Americans have a month dedicated to them, just as the same with Black History month, but then, you have Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for his accomplishments in African American History; Cinco De Mayo, every May, for the Latino Culture; President's Day to honor all of the Presidents, and Columbus Day for Christopher Columbus discovering America. However, what about the true original Americans: The Native American People? As Christopher Columbus discovered America after the fact that the Native Americans already lived here and were settled on the land. I feel that the Native Americans deserve to have a day reserved in honor of recognition for their culture, their historical value to what they brought forth to the American History, and remembranceof the ones that put their life on the line defending their traditions, family, and land, throughout historical events, such as: The Trail Of Tears, Battle Of Little Big Horn, The Long Walk, Wounded Knee, and so much more, especially if Columbus Day is still kept to honor Christopher Columbus and what he brought to the American History. It would, honestly, bring back a natural balance to this country and make the word "United" really stand true within the title of our country.
Learn more about this author, Judy Thompson.
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Yes
The U.S. must continue observing Columbus Day. If we don't, then people will forget all about Columbus, one of the most important figures in the history of white Imperialism.
God knows, no one teaches anything about history in school - so holidays and PBS specials are pretty much all we have. And, as I think someone wise once said, those who ignore history are doomed to think Vasco de Gama was a great centerfielder for the Mets. Or something like that.
Seriously though - Columbus Day is a great occasion. It gives you something to put on the calendar for that day, which makes the calendar feel more full of stuff. Plus Italians like Columbus Day, because Columbus was Italian. I know because I watched The Sopranos.
The only problem I really have with Columbus Day, besides the fact that you don't actually get a day off, is that we fail to teach the true story of Columbus. Mostly we stick with the grade school stuff like the names of the ships - the Nina, the Pinta and the Salma Hayek if I remember correctly - and also the idea that Columbus wanted to prove the earth was round. Of course, people then didn't think the earth was flat as is often contended - the ancient Greeks knew it was round, and pretty much every educated person living during Columbus's time also thought so. The argument was really over the earth's circumference - some thought it was about 24,000 miles while others thought it was closer to 10,000. Columbus believed in the smaller number, hence his confidence that his ships could easily sail across the tiny Atlantic and reach the Indies. But this is really not that important. What really matters is how thoroughly we've white-washed Mr. Columbus, turning him into some kind of mythic hero when he was in fact nothing but a profiteering slave-master who exploited every non-white person he came across. Columbus is first and foremost a symbol of European arrogance. He didn't care a lick about the native peoples he encountered - he had not a jot of curiosity about their cultures but only cared about getting the gold he thought they had. He did nothing to stop his men from raping the native girls (it got so bad that mothers started mutilating their own daughters to keep the Europeans from desiring them). He was, basically, a bastard. But America seems to love bastards, especially when they've been portrayed as heroes. So, by all means, keep celebrating Columbus Day. He's the sort of guy we should never forget.
Learn more about this author, Dan Zinski.
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