To some people, mostly Native Americans, Columbus Day symbolizes generations of poor treatment, enslavement, and forced migration across the western plains. In all honestly, Europeans were a bunch of fat white men who thought because they wanted North American land, that they deserved it.
We learn about it in social studies class, and it was the first chapter in my AP United States History text book. The founders of the United States and settlers of North America, brought disease and distress upon the Natives, they even expected them to understand. Native peoples had lived in the Americas for thousands of years, they knew the land and were much smarter than the Europeans gave them credit for.
Native Americans and supporters of Indigenous rights have been protesting Columbus day for years. It's not a new idea to abolish this holiday. Natives want to be recognized, they only hold 2% of the population in the United States today, that's ridiculous. Things need to change before people of different cultures are obliterated.
It's 2015, and I hope most of us can comprehend where our founding fathers went wrong. We should know by now (it's common sense, for goodness sake) that we don't discriminate. We need to welcome everyone into our communities with open arms. We need to show support for different cultures and also bring to light these differences that make us who we are, and create each individual community.
Cities such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, Portland, Oregon and St. Paul Minnesota have celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day, a day commemorating the struggles that indigenous peoples have suffered through.
I'm not saying we should not commemorate the wonderful discovery that Columbus achieved, but we should also commemorate the bravery and strength of the Natives who had their home ripped away from them in wars over land rights and power.
Read more about protests & changes being made Here
stay peaceful!!
Sydney, I thought your post about Columbus day was well thought out. In addition, you both effectively explained the negatives of the holiday while remaining compassionate for both sides of the issue. I came across a silly quote recently on Columbus day about the holiday. It read, 'As a man, I honor Christopher Columbus every day of the year by refusing to ask for directions.' Obviously, the man was teasing but at the same time it is comically true because he was convinced all the way up to his death that he had discovered India. Moving along, I enjoyed that you completed your writing by offering your opinion on the matter.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Mr. Heitz
Bravo
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