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“Columbus committed heinous crimes against the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean and millions of natives throughout the Americas and Columbus set the stage for the slave trade throughout the new world. So please, please reconsider if this is a man you want to honor.” (NuHeightzCinema)
“We’re going to march up Fifth Avenue and demonstrate not only our pride as Americans of Italian extraction but also gratitude for what this great country America has done for us.” (Bloomberg)
The second Monday of October is celebrated as Columbus Day across the Americas. The day marks the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World back in 1492 and is celebrated by countries from the U.S. to Venezuela to Spain. The Italian adventurer is widely regarded as the founder of what would eventually become the United States and hailed as a hero. Well perhaps until now. Check out these headlines…
The Wall Street Journal - “Is Columbus Day Sailing Off the Calendar? – Parades Get Dumped, the Holiday Renamed; Brown’s Fall Weekend”
The Daily Lobo - “Indigenous Day attacks Columbus myth”
The PalmBeachPost.com asked “Is Columbus Day a sinking ship?”
Boston’s NECN discussed what Columbus Day means for their city and found only positive words for the holiday.
"I think it shows Italian pride in our city just like St. Patrick's Day, and Christopher Columbus Day and the Puerto Rican Festival. It's about the diversity of our city and the many different ethnic groups we have in our city.”
But respect for diversity is something TheExaminer.com says Columbus never had. They have the viewpoint of indigenous populations across the Americas who say Columbus killed their people by the thousands.
“…it is a sharp and painful reminder that history has betrayed and forgotten the contributions of their people, the lives lost, and a rich culture that pre-dated colonization.”
“Our children do not learn of the brutality of the explorers, of Native American history and its traditions, nor do we pay homage the cultures that ruled for centuries before Columbus' arrival.”
It’s for these reasons that Native American students at Brown University pushed to renounce Columbus Day. Rhode Island’s FOX station shares their perspective…
“…this decision follows six months of debate on a petition that was started by native American students. That petition got 700 signatures, and they argue the holiday is historically inaccurate, and they also think it should honor Native Americans. Take a listen.”
“It clearly overlooks a part of his legacy that he’s inextricably tied to violence, conquest, imperialism, and we believe the story of the indigenous Americans needs to be recognized and honored and Columbus Day is the not the appropriate way to do that.”
But The New York Daily News defends Columbus in their article “Try respecting Columbus for a change, America”.
“He endured hurricanes, shipwreck, mutiny, shark attacks, cannibals, sword fight, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and a bleeding of the eyes caused by staring too long at the sea over the course of his four journeys. With the possible exception of Capt. James Cook, no man has ever been more brilliant on the high seas.”
The Wall Street Journal writes that Columbus defenders understand their hero was flawed, but says back in the early days of America different standards existed.
“They say he should be celebrated for risking his life to explore the world and for forging modern ties between Europe and the Americas.” “…much of the criticism is built on “judging a 16th century man by 21st century standards.””
So you do you think Columbus Day should stand as a celebrated holiday? Or should American take a long hard look at its historical figures, and the costs of their achievements?
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