By Tiffany Herrera, Senior “Happy, not so happy, Columbus day!” This federal holiday was created in 1937 to celebrate the day that Christopher Columbus “discovered America.” Italian explorer Christopher Columbus voyaged out of Spain in order to find a more rapid route from Europe to Asia. In spite of his goal, he never found the route. Instead, he landed on various Caribbean islands and explored the Central and South American coasts. Nonetheless, this highlights the fact that Christopher Columbus did not even set foot on North America.
Though he is recognized and celebrated as “The first discoverer of America,” Christopher Columbus was not at all the first to come across American land. In fact, there were millions of natives already inhabiting this land. Nonetheless, his conquest and colonization of the New World did not signify him finding America. Not only did he steal the land of many natives, but he allowed and committed crimes against humanity. Honoring a criminal, a mass murderer, a rapist, and a thief, is not an ideal person to celebrate at all. Columbus day should not be a federal holiday, nor any holiday at all. Contradicting this “venturous noble man,” a more suitable and respectable federal holiday dedicated towards this era would be Indigenous People's' Day. In spite of the horrendous acts against Native Americans, American society can at least acknowledge the lives that were tortured, and lost, through the celebration of this holiday. Through the replacement of Columbus Day, many Native Americans can feel their ancestors liberated from the chains of their cruel society. Ridding the honor to a man that atrociously took advantage of the Natives would be healing to the Native American Community and a justice to the lives lost. Nonetheless, states such as, Minnesota, Vermont, Alaska, South Dakota, and many other cities have removed Columbus Day in order to support the celebration of Indigenous People's’ Day. These states support the fact that Columbus is not to be celebrated at all. Their celebration of Indigenous People’s Day portray the truth of Christopher Columbus’ character, and strongly supports the motives behind its celebration. Evident enough, the movement to rid honor from a cruel man is gradually starting to set in place, so why should this still be a holiday at all? To conclude, the riddance of the holiday that honors an evil man is an essential matter that must be addressed through the adoption of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in all 50 states. This holiday would be the least that American society can do, especially after the suffering of the natives caused by various conquerors, especially by the renowned...Christopher Columbus. Works cited: Calfas, Jennifer. “Indigenous Peoples Day Replaces Columbus Day In 55 Cities.” Time. 9 Oct. 2017.Web.16 October 2017 Kasum, Eric. “Columbus Day? True Legacy: Cruelty and Slavery.” The Huffington Post, 11 Oct. 2010.Web.16 October 2017 Nittle, Nadra Kareem. “The Case Against Celebrating Columbus Day.” ThoughtCo, 31 Oct. 2016.Web.16 October 2017. Sankin, Aaron. “8 Reasons Why Columbus Day Is Terrible.” The Daily Dot.. 10 Oct. 2016.Web.16 October 2017. Strauss, Valerie. “Christopher Columbus: 3 Things You Think He Did That He Didn’t.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 14 Oct. 2013.Web.19 October 2017
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Tiffany HerreraI take pleasure in meeting new people. I also enjoy helping others by giving them advice on various issues. I am an advocate for equal rights, and a sweet individual who cares for others. I have a strong interest in web design and the study of sciences. My main goal is to become a successful Nurse Practitioner and to maybe create my own fashion line. |