Causes.com
| 10.9.23
Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day?
Should the U.S. ditch Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples' Day?
Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day?
- Since 1937, Columbus Day has been a federal holiday commemorating the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas. However, many Americans are redefining the celebration as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- Columbus Day, for some, honors the achievements of European colonizers and celebrates Italian-American heritage. For others, it praises someone who stole land from Native Americans and committed crimes against them.
- Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Native American communities and shines a light on the misconceptions revolving around Columbus and European colonizers.
A brief history of Columbus
- Columbus was an Italian-born explorer who set sail in August 1492, sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, with the intention of a western sea route to China, India, and the islands of Asia. Instead, Columbus landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings established colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century.
- It wasn’t until Columbus’ third trip across the Atlantic did he realize he had not reached Asia.
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday in 1937, mainly in response to lobbying from the influential Catholic fraternal organization, the Knights of Columbus.
Columbus’ controversy
- The controversy over Columbus Day goes back to the 19th century when anti-immigrant groups rejected the holiday because of its association with Catholicism. Most recently, Native American and activist groups have protested the celebration of the colonization of the Americas, the beginnings of the transatlantic slave trade, and the deaths of millions from murder and disease.
- Europeans landing in the Americas resulted in a devastating loss of life, tradition, and land for Indigenous peoples — an estimated 95% of the Native American population was decimated. Celebrating Columbus and the European colonizers dismisses the experiences of the Indigenous communities and the ongoing effects of colonialism today.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a growing movement — Alaska, Hawaii, Oregano, Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, New Mexico, South Dakota, and at least 130 cities across the country have adopted the day.
- President Biden became the first U.S. president to recognize the day when he issued a proclamation to observe, honor, and celebrate the contributions and resiliency of Indigenous peoples, and recognize the crimes committed against them.
- Indigenous community advocates say the recognition of the day helps to correct the “whitewashing” of American history and the glorification of European colonizers. Native Americans have long criticized inaccuracies around the colonizers' legacy credited with the “discovery” of the Americas.
- In 2017, the Navajo Nation declared the second Monday of October to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In its proclamation, the Navajo Nation said:
“Indigenous Peoples' Day shall be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and positive values of Indigenous Peoples, and shall further be observed to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Peoples.”
Should the U.S. ditch Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples' Day?
—Sara E. Murphy, Josh Herman, & Jamie Epstein
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When Congress enacts a holiday, it just gives a few a paid day off work. Has no other meaning other than their attempt to make someone feel good. We all know Columbus was not the first to find this continent. In reality, he missed it. We already have our Independence Day, what more do we need. A Norseman Day, a Chinese Day, we know they were here before Columbus was even born. Genetics has already proven Eastern Asian came here first. So, why do we even need a Founders Holiday.
Indigenous People Day sound good since it was the Indigenous people on 2 continents most affected by Columbus landing in the Bahamas on Oct 12th, 1492.
People need to remember that Columbus who was Italian did not sail under the Italian government flag as they wouldn't finance it. It was the Spanish government that financed it and initially explored and colonized 2 continents followed by British and French. All proceeded in exploring, colonizing and fighting both indigenous people and each other for control.
So many Hispanics in the southwest US are decendents from these original explorers, living here when it was Mexico prior to being land ceded to the US.
"On October 12, 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus made landfall in what is now the Bahamas. Columbus and his ships landed on an island that the native Lucayan people called Guanahani. Columbus renamed it San Salvador."
"In 1860, for example, among the 155,000 Hispanics living in the U.S., 81.1% were of Mexican origin"
https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2017/09/18/2015-statistical-information-on-hispanics-in-united-states/
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/oct12/columbus-makes-landfall-caribbean/
I suggest a day commemorating the meeting of two great civilizations and grieving the destruction of great swaths of Indigenous People.
Maybe Cultural Collisions Day.
We must change the narrative about Columbus. He was not the true hero that is told in the mythology.
Having been born in the eastern shadow of the "Paha Sapa", commonly known as the Black Hills of South Dakota, and the fact that I come from Russian, Austrian, Swedish, Scotch, Irish and (Holland0 Dutch, I feel blessed to have been introduced to the history, customs , traditions and beliefs of the Lakota tribes in the region. Their love and respect of the Mother Earth and Father Sky, failure to ruin the waters that bring forth life, taking from the land only what is needed to survive, has shown me a better way of life other that that of the so-called "White Supremists". So I stand on the side of changing "Columbus Day" to "Indigenous Peoples Day" to honor those who befriended the interlopers only to be slaughtered by them for the sole purpose of taking their land without paying for it so they could rape it and destroy it at their whim only for the purp[ose of GREED and power. Besides, our so-called politicians don't need another excuse to do nothing if favor for thye established everyday citizen. They don't earn their paycheck and special "perks" as it is since all they can do is "bad mouth" their oponents across the isle.
Today, I actually live within the boundries of the Heart of Great Spirit and have developed a love, understanding, and acceptance of this beautiful area. Once awakened, I feel the power of these beloved "hills". If they want you, you will be allowed here, if they don't, you will not be satisfied with what you experience. Change the so-called "holliday".
IA Reflection on Italian-American Heritage
Columbus Day, established in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison, initially aimed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas and foster patriotism among American citizens. However, there is an often overlooked history behind the holiday, one that sheds light on the struggles faced by Italian immigrants and Italian Americans during the Jim Crow era. Let's look at the little known origins of Columbus Day and its evolving significance, taking into account the changing perspectives within the Italian-American community.
During the Jim Crow era, Italian immigrants and Italian Americans experienced discrimination and violence, exemplified by the tragic lynching of eleven Italian Americans in New Orleans in 1891. In response to this incident, President Harrison's decision to establish Columbus Day as a holiday was influenced, in part, by a desire to appease the Italian-American community and acknowledge their contributions.
Over the years, the Italian-American community has played a significant role in reminding politicians of the debt owed to their ancestors. Notably, during the Reagan Era, the support and influence of prominent Italian Americans in the movie industry and business community led to a renewed appreciation for Italian heritage.
In recent times, there has been a shift in the attitudes within the Italian-American community towards Columbus. Some members no longer openly defend him as a symbol of their heritage. This change could stem from a growing awareness and criticism of Columbus's actions and the atrocities committed against indigenous people in the Caribbean. As a result, Italian Americans may be seeking alternative figures or events to represent their heritage more accurately.
Columbus Day has undergone a transformation in its significance, evolving from a celebration of Columbus's arrival to a reflection of Italian-American heritage. The historical context, including the struggles faced by Italian immigrants and Italian Americans, sheds light on the complex origins of this holiday. With changing perspectives and a desire for a more inclusive representation, it is essential to foster dialogue and understanding as we navigate the evolving significance of Columbus Day and honor the diverse contributions of Italian Americans to our nation's history.
Sources:
How Columbus Day Became Known as an Italian-American Holiday - TIME. https://time.com/6104176/christopher-columbus-italian-american/
It’s Time for Italian Americans to Give Up on Columbus. https://www.thenation.com/article/society/christopher-columbus-racism/
A Proclamation on Columbus Day, 2023 | The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/06/a-proclamation-on-columbus-day-2023/
Sounding Off: Columbus Day should not be a stand-in for an Italian .... https://dailycampus.com/2022/10/12/sounding-off-columbus-day-should-not-be-a-stand-in-for-an-italian-american-heritage-day/
Oral tradition within the Italian-American Community in the NYC area.
America was not "discovered." There were thriving civilizations on this continent until the Europeans decimated them. To venerate a man, representative of genocide, rape, disease, and exploitation, is beneath the American ideology of being the beacon on the hill.
Since Columbus never 'discovered' anything!
Most definitely.
I thought it was interesting when the Israelis began bombing the Palestinians on "original peoples Day," (original people of Palestine-now known as Isreal). Something regular people should keep in mind about "original people" is that they have had their countries/lands stolen from them and that they never, ever get over it! Not the Palestinians and not American Indians and not any of the others.
Already have.
The Question is just ridiculous at this time.
Extremist Republicans are wielding whatever power they have to obstruct and destroy.
Tommy Tuberville is blocking military promotions.
Rand Paul is blocking ambassadorial appointments.
Conservatives are waging a sick culture war.
Let's not add fuel to that hellfire.
Anyway...
I do not agree with changing Columbus Day.
We need to just make sure his atrocities are transmitted to our descendants. He was not alone among the early explorers in cruelty. Even the Christian Clergy, mostly Roman Catholics in the 15th and 16th centuries, condoned the atrocities
Every great person in History is also guilty of making great mistakes, it seems to go with greatness itself.
Columbas was a monster. Please stop whitewashing history.
It's time to celebrate the original people of America and their History not some someone lost at sea. American History has been so distorted and ignored for tooo many years....due to "white patriarchy". It's time for the TRUE HISTORY be celebrated and taught in American schools.
The atrocities committed by colonial Americans are numerous and well-documented. According to an article in the Smithsonian Magazine, the early history of America was characterized by "terror, desperation, degradation and widespread torture" ¹. The article goes on to describe how the Pilgrims massacred the Pequots and destroyed their fort near Stonington, Connecticut in 1637 ¹. Colonists in search of gold staged violent ambushes on tribal villages, fueling animosity with Natives. Several wars broke out between tribes and American settlers which led to large death tolls, land dispossession, oppression and blatant racism ². In addition to this, crime and punishment in colonial America was brutal. Theft of property, including burglary and robbery, became the most prevalent offense. One form of theft was peculiar to slaves; they could steal themselves by escaping ³.
It is important to remember that these events took place in a different time period with different social norms. However, it is still important to acknowledge the atrocities committed and learn from them so that we can strive towards a better future.
Sources:
(1) The Shocking Savagery of America’s Early History. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-shocking-savagery-of-americas-early-history-22739301/
(2) Atrocities Against Native Americans - Tribunal 1965. https://www.tribunal1965.org/en/atrocities-against-native-americans/
(3) American History Online - Washington Township Public School District. https://www.wtps.org/cms/lib/NJ01912980/Centricity/Domain/745/crime%20and%20punishment%20in%20colonial%20america.pdf
(4) Colonial Genocide in Indigenous North America - Duke University Press. https://www.dukeupress.edu/Colonial-Genocide-in-Indigenous-North-America/
(5) Colonial Crimes and Punishments | The Colonial Williamsburg Official .... https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/spring03/branks.cfm
Early years, learning about Columbus, I admired him. Subsequent findings of what he did and more facts. I've lost respect for him.
So yes, do change.
Columbus Day is a national holiday. It commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492.
It is a day to celebrate and reflect upon the historical significance of this event.
Columbus did commit atrocities and that must be taught about him as well. It is a lesson worth transmitting to our descendents.
I rather see aid to support America's indigenous people.
An Indigenous Peoples Day is too amorphous. We have no other National holidays celebrating a group. Plus, to be fair we must note that some indigenius people committed vicious atrocities as well. Albeit such actions were in in large part in response to American Atrocities.
National Holidays celebrate individuals or events.
We should just dump
Columbus Day. We don't need it replaced with some made up other holiday. It wasn't celebrated for the first 100+ years of this country and it isn't necessary any more. This is just another day that the government is closed and the banks are not open. Drop the holiday altogether, don't replace it with another.
It does not need to be an either/or situation. Rename Columbus Day something like Italian Heritage Day so there is no celebration of those actions that make up the Columbus Day objections, reverse the Federal holiday provision (after all,St. Patrick’sDay celebrates our Orish heritage but it is not a national holiday), and create a separate Indigenous Peoples Day (which could become a national holiday if deemed acceptable).
It does not need
It's Columbus Day, will always be Columbus Day. Indigenous People Day is a "woke", attempt to make liberials "feel better" about themselves.
p.s. How come it's ok to call out Indigenous Peoples Day, but no one refers to an above average warm period of days in the fall as Indian Summer anymore?
You "Yes", people make me sick.