Friday, December 01, 2006

Columbus Day Editorial

When one speaks of Columbus Day, one would think of Christopher Columbus and the Friday off, following Thanksgiving. It is true Columbus was a prominent figure in American history. Some call him a protagonist, others consider him an antagonist. It is not justifiable to name him as a villain ever though he executed many intolerable acts upon the Native Americans of this land. Yet, he was not a hero either; therefore he shall not be honored as one, with respect to the true founders of America, the Native Americans.

In addition, the territory named “District of Columbia” should be renamed with the utmost respect to our fellow citizens who don’t honor to Columbus as an important figure in America. This should be done because the “District of Columbia” was named by former-President George Washington with the ultimate honor to Christopher Columbus.

Further, the holiday dedicated to Columbus should be celebrated; however, it should be renamed “Discovery Day,” the original name of the holiday, before it was changed to “Columbus Day.” The following statement by Glenn Morris and Russell Means radicalize this idea, “To dignify Columbus and his legacy with parades, holidays, and other celebration is intolerable to us. As the original peoples of this land, we cannot and will not countenance social and political festivities that celebrate our genocide.” Every American citizen has the right to not be offended.

An appropriate style to depict Columbus in history textbooks is the fact he was an explorer with deep loyalty to his country and not the first to discover the Americas. Extensive research have shown that the Vikings have discovered the Americas much sooner than Christopher Columbus. Therefore, the day of discovery should be celebrated without any public emphases, which were intolerable to many Native Americans.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad someone see christopher colubus not as a monumental men. There is so many people who really do not agree in placing this man in the pedestal. So many American indians from North, Central and South America are displiced because to today people wish they new who they were before colling them Indian. As you know christopher was looking for the country of India to get the spices and every place that he stoped he tought he got to india calling the people of the area where ever he stoped indians, indians. Most people do not want to hear about Columbus period unless if you happen to be an italian.

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