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Should the United States Celebrate Columbus Day?
Should the United States Celebrate Columbus Day?
By NATALIE PROULX OCT.
5, 2017
Does
your school recognize Columbus Day as an official holiday? What do you know
about Christopher Columbus?
In this
2014 piece, “Columbus Day, or ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’?,”
Jake Flanagin writes:
It’s a
controversial day with a turbulent history. “This historically problematic
holiday — Columbus never actually set foot on the continental U.S. — has made
an increasing number of people wince, given the enslavement and genocide of
Native American people that followed in the wake of the Nina, Pinta and Santa
Maria,” writes Yvonne Zipp for The Christian
Science Monitor. “The neighborhood wasn’t exactly empty when he arrived in
1492.”
Back in
1992 — 500 years after Columbus’s fateful landing in the Caribbean — Berkeley,
Calif., was the first American city to repurpose his day in honor of Native
America. “Talk of an alternative Columbus Day dates back to the 1970s,” writes Nolan
Feeney for Time, “but the idea came to Berkeley after the First Continental
Conference on 500 Years of Indian Resistance in Quito, Ecuador, in 1990. That
led to another conference among Northern Californian Native American groups.”
Attendees brought the idea in front of the Berkeley City Council, after which
they “appointed a task force to investigate the ideas and Columbus’ historical
legacy.” Two years later, council members officially instated Indigenous
Peoples’ Day in lieu of Columbus by a unanimous vote.
The
California state senator Lori Hancock, then the mayor of Berkeley, remembers
encountering Italian-American pushback similar to that in Seattle. “We just had
to keep reiterating that that was not the purpose,” she told Mr. Feeney. “The
purpose was to really affirm the incredible legacy of the indigenous people who
were in the North American continent long before Columbus.”
And
it’s worth noting that not all Italian-Americans tote Christopher Columbus as a
symbol of cultural pride. “Those supposed leaders in the Italian-American
community who oppose Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the same day as Columbus Day do
not speak for all of us of Italian descent,” writes Margaret Viggiani of Seattle in a
letter to The Seattle Times. “They certainly don’t speak for me. I, and many
others, agree wholeheartedly with the long-overdue change and applaud the
Seattle City Council for doing it.”
“Why
should anyone take pride in honoring the life of a man who brought misery and
degradation of the native peoples of this hemisphere?” she asks. “It’s time to
give due to the important and overlooked accomplishments of the many indigenous
people who inhabited this hemisphere long before it was named the Americas.”
Students: Read
the entire article, then tell us:
— Why
does the United States celebrate Columbus Day? In your opinion, is the holiday
problematic?
— What
do you think of the argument for changing the name and focus of the holiday
from Columbus to “indigenous peoples”? Does it dishonor the heritage of
Italian-Americans, a group that has also faced discrimination? Or does it serve
to recognize and affirm the overlooked history and contributions of Native
Americans?
— Do
you think changing the name of the holiday can change the way indigenous
peoples are treated and remembered in United States history? Or is this move
largely symbolic?
— Do
you think the United States should continue to recognize Columbus Day as an
official holiday? If so, why? If not, should we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’
Day instead — or something else?
We celebrate Columbus Day because it’s meant as a day for us to remember how Christopher Columbus traveled to America on October 12, 1492. In my opinion, the holiday is very problematic. There’s an extensive list of things wrong with it. Especially since Christopher Columbus wasn’t even looking to go to America. In reality, he was searching for India, but got lost and ended up in America. Hense why everyone called Native American’s “Indian’s” for years and years. Not only that but when he actually arrived in America he raped and killed three Indian’s.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think it’s a much better thing that they changed Columbus day to “Indigenous Peoples”. Especially seeing they named the holiday after a man who was credited for discovering America when he didn’t, and really arrived here only at chance. He had gotten lost on his way to India, arrived here, and still thought that he had actually landed in India. In reality, he had landed in a completely different country. I don’t think it’s “dishonorable” to the Italian-American’s, especially since they came here and killed Native American’s. If anything, the holiday should be centered around and celebrated for the lives lost when they came here. Having the named changed for the holiday, and now having it celebrated as a holiday for the Indigenous People, is honestly a really good thing. It honors the Native American’s lives lost due to people coming over to America.
The United States shouldn’t recognize Columbus day as a real holiday. It’s disrespectful that we celebrate a holiday centered around a man who got lost on his way to India, came to America and still thought he was in India. Not only that, but he raped and killed Native American’s. Why do we celebrate that? Yeah, it’s great that America was “discovered” (once again, he wasn’t actually the person to discover America), but if we really feel like we need a holiday to celebrate, we shouldn’t celebrate one that’s based around the murder of Native American’s. Indigenous People day would be a much more appropriate holiday to celebrate, seeing it would honor the people who lost their lives and still gives us a chance to celebrate our country.
The United States celebrates Columbus day because it’s when Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean and found America.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think about the argument about changing the holiday’s name is a bit unsuring.
I don’t really know what to say about it, i’d probably just say they should keep the name for the holiday the same because I feel as if they were to change it, it would make a bigger mess and make even more people angry. It also will probably make a giant mess and cause more problems that everyone will have to deal with.
I think we should recognize Columbus Day because it still is a historical event in the United States of America’s history. It was the day Christopher Columbus sailed the sea and found America. Plus it helped unite two civilizations.
I agree when you say changing the name of the holiday would anger people, but I feel as though it would be a good thing to change the name. Especially seeing the holiday is celebrated around a man who 1) wasn't the first person to discover America, and 2) raped and killed three Native American's while he was here.
DeleteIf we're going to continue to celebrate the holiday, it would only be right that we change the reasoning behind WHY we celebrate it.
The reason I think many people celebrate this holiday is because when Christopher Columbus tried to go around the world but failed he landed on America. This was the big deal because many people were not on this land he was the first to discover it. It made it a big day in American history because without him some of us wouldn’t be here. Changing the name is a big thing because it is an important period for someone to change it many people will get offended and it is fine to be. It is always know to be ‘Columbus Day” but if it were to be changed it would be weird because we known it for such a long time. I think it should stay the same because i don’t see the point of changing it. I really don’t care if it is known as a special holiday because he really wasn’t the first to find it but he was the one who talked about it and brought people here. It is just a regular day to me but not saying it is for everyone else because many others see it as a special day. But for me i really don’t care because it’s not a big thing to me but others it can be. Many people love this holiday if they decided to celebrate they can but i don’t, it is also good to know the information behind it. There is people who celebrate it and others don’t it is just the way you may see it all just depends.
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DeleteI don't necessarily think we should change the name. Although I don't think we should celebrate all of those accomplishments in his name because there are many theories that state he wasn't the first or the only one to accomplish everything that he gets credit for. I agree with you this holiday to me is just another day. The only reason its important to me is sometimes we don't have school but unfortunately central doesn't celebrate have the holidays most other districts do.
DeleteCommemorates Christopher Columbus Day as a tribute to the navigator's first voyage and a cartographer of the Spanish crown to America in 1492.I think the argument to change the name and focus on Columbus' holidays to // indigenous peoples // should not be as big as it is, but other people who disagree with him have their right to speak. but what happens is that nobody wants to give anything away..//Changing the name of the party can change the way indigenous peoples are treated and recorded on the history of the United States. It is important that everyone knows their culture and the history of it, because it has a meaning of substance. I believe that Columbus Day can be officially celebrated as a national holiday, however, indigenous peoples can be celebrated, as long as there is no offense towards any culture or religion.
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DeleteI like how you see it from two point of views. You give enough information which is also good too. There is a whole thing between people but as long as it doesn't danger others it is fine.
DeleteI agree changing the name will give the indigenous people more respect and nobility. They literally got no credit for being there first. I strongly think we should change the name for the indigenous people and there rights.
DeleteWe, the United States celebrates columbus day for a few reasons. The main one is he is credited with finding the new world, so we celebrate him. In my opinion, yes this holiday is problematic. It is because people today think it should not be celebrated and some think it should. It’s where columbus killed and assaulted the indians. He was not even the one who found the new world.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion i think it should be changed because he is just a symbol of someone who found the new land. Also, all the people there first got killed. We should change the name to respect them. And yes, it does overlook the history of the native americans.
I think changing the name will do a lot. It will show the people that we do remember and know what columbus did to them. All the horrible things just straight up brutal. I think we should change the name and i think many others would agree.
I don't think we should recognise columbus day. We are basically celebrating someone who took credit from someone else finding the new world and just giving it to him. Also, celebrating someone who raped and killed hundreds of native americans. That it just horrible to even think about. I think we should celebrate the indigenous people instead of columbus. They deserve a lot more respect then what he did. They found the place for crying out loud. He was a horrible person. We need to show them that we care about the natives and give them the respect they deserve.
Central regional high school does not recognize columbus day as a holiday. Though most schools do recognize it. He was a sailor who wasnt educated and sailed into the wrong place. He landed on the beach of California already inhabited by native americans. Though they couldnt stop him from getting land that he wanted. Columbus day should not be recognized as a holiday he was a horrible person who did many bad things to women. Celebrating the holiday is like supporting the getting rid of native americans. This is one of many reasons this holiday is problematic also at least half of kids dont even know what the holiday is for or who columbus is which is why they should be in school on this day learning about it. I think changing the name of the holiday to indigneous peoples day would be better and we should have a day of to honor those lives who died protecting their homeland. The native americans were amazing people and when columbus came he destroyed their healthy way of life bringing sickness and disease and hate and war. Native americans should be remembered and honored on this day instead of a person who took lives from those who would have shared. If the name was changed just maybe teachers would teach their students about all the good these indians did and how their home was stolen from them. People could learn to appericate them more seeing that they were the victims.I dont think columbus day should be recognized. I think that we should give the day a better meaning and honor those who fought for their homeland instead.
ReplyDeleteyour historic reasonings are very correct. believing that Christopher Colombus was recognized for doing awful things. Not only to women but the Native Americans. i also agree on how the Native Americans always did and had pure hearts to find for their land. They did the best and will always be home. I also think that you used the details vividly. Good job.
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ReplyDeleteCentral Regional High School, does not recognize Columbus Day as an official holiday, we are still in school and is a non touched/talked about subject in the world history . I believe that Columbus Day should not be an official holiday. With all due respect I believe that it’s another day for the loss of a person, that was given credit for something he did not do, and was totally benefited for something that went the opposite way of planning. In my very own opinion he is a person that was looking for freedom and the privileges that Vhe did not have in his country only to take away others (Native Americans) along the way of this journey. He also did horrific things to the ladies on his ship and was not at all the right aspect or vision of what people thought he was. Everyone on the ship knew him from the shadow and his own bubble, the people on the ship let it out to light but no one really payed attention to him because of his discovery of a new land. To this day the discovery and the his own personal is still a historic problematic and there are still second thoughts on what Christopher Columbus should and is thought of for future references. The Native Americans still battle throughout time and worry about finding their land and the home that was once theirs. I most definitely believe that NO ONE should take pride in celebrating a day that brought misery to thousands of people. Some have forgiven but never have forgotten and some take pride and joy that the land of the “free” was finally found.
I didnt know all about the people on his ship. I also learned about how he treated others. Espically the girls on the ship. I dont think that he should be celebrated either. He ruined many lives and he shouldnt have a day that celebrates what he did.
DeleteI completely agree! Knowing that someone else is taking someone else's success is horrific! But i understand how you feel, and you stated everything perfectly. This was well thought out, and you knew what you were talking about. I think that this could persuade anyone to agree with you!
DeleteWhy should we celebrate Christopher Columbus day? To put this into question , in my honest opinion,I do not think we should celebrate Columbus day what so everl. Christopher Columbus not only not find america and get false credit but he got lost trying to get where he was going in the first palace. Yes he plays a big role in history and has been for more than a hundred plus years, but he also did many bad things in his life to the natives that were there before Christopher Columbus and his discoverers which was unnecessary and brutal. There has been arguments over the news about weather or not we should celebrate Columbus day and the argument is about half and half for most. Some people believe we should not celebrate it because of the horrific things columbus did to the natives, and the other half believes that we should because he is still a part of history whether we like it or not for say. Although the things that Christopher Columbus did was quite gruesome i think we should leave columbus day to the opinion and celebrate it if you want to and if you dont want to then you dont have to and leave it be at that. With that being i think we should just not argue about it and just let it be
ReplyDeletei agree with what you said but they should have not made it a holiday in the first place they should have just made it a indigenous people day a;long time ago
DeleteThe united states celebrates columbus day because columbus thought that we discovered america but the natives were here first and then he killed the native americans and called the land that we had found it first and he discovered it which he didn’t do at all so we celebrate just as a holiday. What i think about the people changing columbus day as indigenous people day is that i think they should keep what they made it in the first place since they already had this holiday for a while and it give kids a break from school since they didn’t change the columbus to indigenous peoples along time ago before they thought about that. Yes i think it dishonors the people that had relatives that died from it and i dont think they should keep the holiday but then they shouldn’t have had it in the first place so no one would have to deal with what has been going on about argueing over this stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think it could maybe change the way indigenous people felt but it should have happened sooner so then they could have had more respect from people but it probably could still change the way of those people if we changed columbus day to indigenous people.
I think the united states should still recognize columbus day as a holiday because even though it should be indigenous people day people still probably celebrate it so we should keep it for those of us who do celebrate or dont celebrate it still was a holiday so they shouldn’t just take it away yet.
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DeleteJohn I agree with a lot of things you said in your blog. I believe that the U.S should just left the name alone. Their is nothing we can do about it because its the past now.
DeleteI agree with you. I believe that after so many years, why change the name now if it happened so many years ago. Those that are bothered by the horrible things Columbus did don't have to celebrate it, and those people that don't have a problem with it, can celebrate in peace.
DeleteI don’t think Columbus Day should be a holiday because Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America but instead found a small piece of land near America but only to find Native Americans living there. He also treated the Natives with such disrespect and cruelty that we shouldn’t honor him for discovering something that was already founded. He basically kicked the Natives off their land and killed them for what he considered his land. To be fair though, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Christopher Columbus but he shouldn’t have killed the people living there but instead setup trade with them.
ReplyDeleteEven though this is a controversial question, everyone should take in fact that Columbus massacred the Natives for the land that was rightfully theirs and that his only intent for going on this voyage was to find a route to the other side of Europe and to find gold, silver, and other neat things. We should also take note that when we celebrate Columbus day, we celebrating the day Columbus landed on America and killed the Natives for the land. Also no one really knows the actually story of him and we are all just following in what people say about this day and don’t really get the understanding of what Christopher Columbus actually did. I know for my future I will not celebrate this day because of what he did.
In Central Regional High School we still have to go to school. I guess we don’t see this as an important holiday if we have to go to school when a lot of schools don’t go. Somethings that I know about Christopher Columbus is that he was born in Italy but sailed under the country Spain. When he got to the new land, Columbus didn’t treat the native americans right. He raped and sold the women and made the men slave and beat them. He also never discovered America but discovered places around America.
ReplyDeleteThe United States celebrate “Columbus Day” because he made people coming to the west when no one wanted to. When people founded out about these new places they all just wanted to see these counties. I think that this holiday is problematic because people did of him as a hero and some don’t think he is a hero. Also he never actually discovered America so people think he should not be credited.
I think that the argument of changing the name is very dumb. Changing the name is not going to change anything. We still know who and what Christopher Columbus did and there is nothing we can do about it. It is a part of history now. I also think it dishonor Italian-Americans because some people might call them fake and it’s not good that you are recognized as fake.
Also I think that people shouldn’t recognize Columbus day. It should not be celebrated either. This decision would make a lot of people happy and slow down the argument about this day. If we still have to have that day then they should just call it “Indigenous Day”.
funny in the birging of the sentence.its probaly ture that central doesnt care about columbus day thats why we had school monday.Facts changing one holiday name will not do anything people will just get mad because there going to say the columbus discovered america when we all know he never did.
Deleteischer senatore
ReplyDeleteIn school, we were taught that the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus “discovered” America in 1492, and I use the word “discovered” very, very loosely. We didn’t question it when we were little. But now, as teenagers, we should be questioning everything that we were taught about American history when we were little. The reason; our history was written and told by the winners. The “winner” in this case: one Mr. Christopher Columbus. As a nation, we have a federal holiday on the second Monday of each October to celebrate Columbus’ “great discovery”. But now I pose the question: how many people actually know where Columbus landed and what he did when he got there? Very few of you, I’m guessing. Christopher Columbus actually landed on a small island north of Cuba. Not quite the America we know and love. When he got there, the Tainos people (whom Columbus ignorantly called “Indians” because he thought he was in India) helped Columbus and crew discover other neighboring islands. How did they show their gratitude? By raping the women and taking thousands of others as slaves back to Europe, in addition killing many others. In short, causing one of many genocides of an indigenous population by Europeans. And yet, we celebrate this man in America. Personally, as an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Dakota Sioux Tribe, I find this holiday absolutely appalling. This man, the “great” explorer, never even made it to America, let alone “discover” it. One main problem I have with this holiday, it glorifies the idea of genocide, racism, and imperialism against indigenous populations, and as a Native American, that really doesn’t sit well with me. Another problem I have, Columbus is one of the earliest terrorists to reach America, and yet we celebrate him with parades and whatnot, while other terrorists, say Osama Bin Laden, are hunted down like animals, I also think we should not celebrate it at all because he really didn't find the island and he just took the credit.
i agree with allen columbus day should not be celebrated because there is no point to have that day.when i first heard of this day i didn't understand it, it didn't make sense.i feel that he is right because if any one could find something should we make that day all about him and i think not.
ReplyDeleteCentral Regional does not recognize Columbus Day as an official holiday. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic from Spain in the Santa Maria, with the Pinta and the Niña in 1492, trying to find a new route to India, with not much luck.
ReplyDeleteThe United States celebrate Columbus Day because it is said that this is the day that Christopher Columbus discovered America. I really never thought this Holiday to be problematic, however now that I know he never discovered anything, and he is to be blamed for the destruction of so many Native Americans, I believe the celebration of this holiday in this country should have people feeling all types of negative emotions for various reasons. Although I believe this holiday is a problematic one, I don’t believe that changing the name now, after so many years in place, would change the focus of the holiday from “Columbus” to “Indigenous peoples” even if they were to change the name to “Indigenous peoples” because most individuals don’t have the basic knowledge of US History. I also do not believe that changing the name of the holiday would disrespect or dishonor the heritage of Italian-Americans or any race in particular. Neither would it change the way indigenous peoples are treated and remembered in United States history.
In my opinion, I believe United States should continue to celebrate “Columbus Day” as an official holiday because by doing so, I do not believe they are celebrating a “man as a hero,” but as an event that took place and shaped America.
In my opinion this holiday was never a problem until this day in age where everyone has to be politically correct and everyone gets offended by every little comment that has nothing to do with them. The holiday is not just celebrating him or other italian americans it's celebrating the discovery of the greatest nation in the world and that's what we were when the holiday was initiated now there’s three kind of people there's the people who cry and get offended at stupid things, the people who live there lives normal and the people who are gung ho and make empty threats on social media. In my opinion i would just rather people go back to the way things were schools close and there's a bunch of sales in stores. Yes i believe we should continue to celebrate columbus day and if people are going to keep fussing over it we should make it a weekend thing saturday “indigenous peoples day” sunday “viking day then end it with columbus day on the monday.
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