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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?
In the United States they consider “Columbus Day” a holiday because Columbus supposedly landed in the Caribbean discovering America. But, they then found that he wasn’t the only one who inhabited this land. In my opinion i do think the holiday is problematic because Columbus wasn’t a good guy, he didn’t do good things and he wasn’t the first one her, they just wanted to give the white guy credit. He would rape women, and steal and wasn’t a good example for there to be a national holiday for him.
ReplyDeleteI fully support the changing of the name “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples” because they deserve the recognition for being here first, for inhabiting this land first and cultivating it when Columbus just came here and said it was his, and took all of their stuff and everything they did, on their own. I do not think that it dishonors Italian-Americans because they’re taking wrongful credit. It does overlook the African Americans contribution to America, because what fi they did get credit, maybe racism wouldn’t be as bad, or they wouldn’t have been seen and pictured the way they were. They did what they did without his help and he shouldn’t have just taken it from them.
I don’t think changing the holiday’s name will change everyone’s mind about how they treat and see Native Americans, because some people are just stuck in their ways. I do although, really think it would be extremely symbolic for African Americans because they can finally be recognized for the good they did, instead of everyone focusing on the bad, like always.
I don’t think we should celebrate Columbus Day, for him. He didn’t do anything to be recognized for unless they have holidays for rapists and killers. But i do think “Indigenous People’s Day” would be much better because they deserve to be recognized for the effort they put forth for this country. If not celebrated for the Natives, it shouldn’t be celebrated at all.
We celebrate columbus day because that was when the first person landed on the eastern land as we know today as America.IN my opinion I think we should celebrate this holiday till I am out of school.I think we should do this because I want a day off too take a break from school ,but once I am out of school I think we shouldn’t celebrate it anymore because I don’t care.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be about the people that were originally from America.I say this because Columbus is stealing their fame even though if he was here now he would know what he did was wrong.But then when people that aren’t original from America they will get mad about the name change.
I think if we change the name it might make them feel better but what about everyone else I do not think they would be very happy if we change the name now a days because the people that are not indigenous here will not be happy.All in all there will be no solution too this problem because if the name changes the holiday changes and then we do not celebrate like we use too.
I think we should until i am out of school because then it won’t affect me.I also think that we shouldn’t keep it as a holiday because people complain too much about holidays now and it makes the holiday not fun anymore.
I agree. Columbus Day is great. W should 100 percent celebrate it. If you respect America, you have to respect Columbus for discovering it. It is a great place to live. With you, I think people should not get mad over a holiday.
Deletei agree, but we should give all the credit to the people that were here before columbus. he came to america and said that it was his and that he discovered it but he didnt and he shouldnt get the credit.
DeleteThe U.S celebrates Columbus Day because that is the day that Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. It is a day made out to Christopher Columbus. I do not think this holiday is problematic, even though some people can get offended. I respect it though. I do not agree with renaming the holiday and calling it, “Indigenous Peoples”. It is fine the way it is. I don't like how people make a big deal out of it, when it is only 24 hours. I do not think it dishonors anybody. It is just day when Christopher Columbus discovered our place to live. People might ask, It is a great day to celebrate. That is in my opinion. This holiday effects many people as of now. If the name of the holiday is changed, I do not think it will be more of an effect on the people. People get offended on what the holiday is about, not what it is named. So, it really would not make a difference. I think America should definitely remember Columbus Day as a holiday. People don’t know how important this day is. If it weren’t for Christopher Columbus, America would not have been discovered. It took Columbus a long time to discover this great country. Most people living in America that protest against Columbus day, you have to be thankful because Columbus discovering America basically, discovered your home. You wouldn’t be here in America(maybe) it might not have been discovered now if Columbus didn't discover it. I thank Columbus for discovering my great home.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that it is not problematic. I have been told since I was young that Christopher Columbus is a great man. I would like to think he is now. Even though people get offended I think it should stay. Great points you made Dillon.
DeleteThe united states celebrates columbus day because it is the day Columbus landed in the new world. It was celebrated in many cities and states in the 18th century but didn't become a holiday until 1937. In my opinion i don't think we should celebrate it he never stepped foot on u.s
ReplyDeletecontinent.
I do agree to changing the name “Columbus day” to “indigenous people” because they deserve to the ones who get the credit because they were here before columbus and he claimed that it was his land, but if we did ever change the name people will be upset and not everyone will celebrate like they used too. This serves to be recognized and a contribution to the native americans because they were here before columbus and they work for there land and should be recognized instead of columbus.
I think if we changed the name it will change everyone's mood. I don't think people will celebrate it as much as they used to because it's about the indigenous people and not columbus the “founder” of the u.s. People will take it the wrong way and maybe protest it.
No, we should celebrate it for the indigenous people. They deserve to be the ones getting credit for the united stated, not columbus. He didn't do anything but claim it's his. He is wrong for stealing all the credit from those people. If we were to change the name, people should read up and it and have a debate. I think most people will stick with it because it's how the know it and won't want to change it because there used to it.
I agree with you that we should change the name to indigenous people. They were there in the first place so they due deserve the credit not Columbus. I also don't think that we should celebrate this as a holiday. He didn't step foot on the Americas. I believe that they wont change it either because its been in history for a long time now.
DeleteThe United States celebrates Columbus Day because of Christopher Columbus’s arrival to America on October 12, 1492. In my opinion this holiday is problematic because of there being many mixed opinions on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI think that the name rightfully should be changed to “indigenous peoples” because they are technically the “first” people who settled on The United States territory. Also if Columbus was not the one who first found our land why should his name be rewarded for such a big part of history he didn’t even do? I don’t think it dishonors Italian-Americans because it isn’t all of their fault that Columbus got credit for something he wasn’t apart of so in my opinion they should not be offended in any way. It serves to recognize and affirm the overlooked history and contribution of Native Americans.
I think that in the event of the holiday being officially changed that Native Americans would be treated the same and that it’s simply symbolic. It’s just the fact of them being able to get the credit for what they’ve done. Regardless of how people treat them I think that they should be able to atleast have the name of the holiday.
No, I don’t think that the United States should celebrate Columbus Day because he didn’t do anything worth having a holiday. Our school doesn’t have off either way so it doesn’t even feel like a holiday. But yes I feel as though we should make “indigenous peoples” a holiday and that we should have off. But besides those reasons I think the Native Americans should be rewarded with it and that they deserve their special day.
The United States celebrates Columbus Day to show the incredible legacy of Christopher Columbus. I don’t believe that this holiday is problematic because I was always told the Christopher Columbus was the first person to set foot in the U.S. . I think the argument for changing the names of the holiday was good because the indigenous people were in the North American continent before Columbus had been. Changing the name of the holiday doesn’t dishonor the heritage of Italian - Americans because not all Italian Americans see Columbus as a symbol of cultural pride. I think changing the name will change how people see the indigenous people in many ways. They will now know that Columbus was not in North America first. They will see that the indigenous people are the more cultural. Most people are going to be treated differently because of what they believe in and what they think is right and wrong. If the holiday name is changed or not the indigenous people will be remembered from people who believe they were cultural. And Columbus will be remembered from the people that think he is cultural. I think we should celebrate indigenous people's day. It would allow people that believed in columbus to now learn about people that were cultural. It will also show that the indigenous people are being known for their legacy not just Christopher Columbus. What would be good is if we celebrated both columbus day and indigenous people’s day because it would allow everyone to be happy with what they do believe in.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you. I believe this holiday is problematic it numerous ways. Although we have all been taught that Christopher Columbus was the first person to step food on our land we now have research and evidence that it was false. But I do agree with you that the holiday should be changed to it’s rightful name.
DeleteThe united states celebrates columbus day because columbus was supposed to go to america but he really landed in the caribbeans. He claimed it for spain but there was already people who were settled. The native americans were taken as captive. Our school didn't recognize columbus day as a holiday. I think the united states is celebrating it because it takes a lot of courage to sail off where is unknown. I do think this holiday is problematic because what columbus did to the americans is not ok by taking their land.
ReplyDeleteI think they should change the holiday from columbus day to indigenous day. I think so because the native americans got no respect when columbus entered their land so it's only fair that they change the name. I think it serves to recognize and affirm the overlooked history and contributions of native americans. Columbus came into where they settled and took them as captives and killed them and took away their home. I think if they did change the name people would appreciate native americans more than they do on columbus day. I don't think they the united states should have columbus day as an official holiday anymore because columbus did horrible things to the native americans who originally found the land before him. I think we should still learn about how columbus sailed to where no one knew. I believe that we should change the name to Indigenous day or something else just so we can appreciate that they were the ones who found the land before columbus made his sail.
The United States celebrates Columbus Day because in 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue to “discover” the Americas. This is a problematic issue because there were many tribes that lived in the Americas before Columbus got there and he is given all the credit. I think changing the name is the right thing to do, but I don’t think it is feasible. This holiday has been around for a long time and I don’t think a couple of cases where people say it should change will actually do it. I don’t think it’s dishonoring them now because everyone recognizes that was the wrong thing to do back then, it was very wrong. I don’t think changing the name would give any rank to these people because wrongly throughout history these people have been treated very badly. If you go back to when America booted them off the land they worked on and killed them for it because we thought we deserved it. Even though it might help with their rank is history they still have a very black mark because of all this. I don’t think we should continue to recognize this as a holiday because he technically didn’t do anything because people were already in the Americas way before him. People from different countries didn’t know that they were there and just assumed he was the first one to discover it. I also don’t think that we should discover an alternate name holiday. We have had it as Columbus Day for a while and I don’t think they should change it to another holiday. I think we should just get rid of the holiday all at once.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dillon we should celebrate it because I think it was a great accomplishment in history. I would want people to celebrate it if I divorced something like that. But I don’t agree when he said america is a great place to live it I don’t think it is right now. The world is full of hate and other stuff. But hopefully soon it can be peaceful.
ReplyDeleteAmericans celebrate columbus day to celebrate the explorer christopher columbus. They say he's discovered the americas so they celebrate what he did. To me the holiday is problematic bc they're not really a point in celebrating bc technically he didn't discover america. Many people inhabited that land way before columbus so i don't see why we have a holiday for him. I think that it wouldn't be a big deal if they changed because when do we celebrate the indigenous people .”Why should anyone take pride in honoring the life of a man who brought misery and degradation of the native peoples of this hemisphere” it makes no sense at all. I think that if they were just to change the name maybe people would kinda treat indigenous people better but it could just be a symbolic thing that indigenous people would be great full for. I think that columbus day really shouldn't be a holiday because the indigenous people were there first. Maybe we can talk about it in school and stuff but why does it have to be a holiday? I don't think we should celebrate indigenous day either it shouldn't be a holiday.
ReplyDeleteMy school doesn't recognize the holiday of “Columbus Day”. I know that he killed and hurt a lot of people including his own. In the United States “Columbus Day” is a holiday because Columbus was the founder of the Caribbean discovering America. But, then they found out that he wasn’t the only one who found the Caribbean. In my opinion I think the holiday is problematic because Columbus wasn’t the good guy everyone thought he was, he killed lots of people, they just thought he did all good things . He would rape women, and steal and this wasn’t a good example for our country to recognize.
ReplyDeleteI think yes we should change the name from “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous People Day”. I think this because it does dishonor the italian american heritage. It makes them look bad but in reality it's just Columbus. The heritage of italian americans have been discriminated enough, now this, it makes us look at them in a very bad way. I think changing the name of the holiday to “indigenous peoples day” can change the way indigenous peoples are treated and remembered in United States history because it isn't right for theses people to be discriminated against. I also think that this move is very symbolic and not just all fun in games.
I don't think we should recognize the holiday for columbus, I think we should recognize columbus day for all of the people that were killed and discriminated against in the 1940s.and that's what I think about the idea of changing Columbus day to Indigenous People Day