In recent years, a mass movement has been taking place across this country to abolish Columbus Day, the annual holiday commemorating European colonizer Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the “New World,” allegedly on Oct. 12, 1492. For many, Columbus symbolizes the savagery millions of Continental Africans endured during the Middle Passage, the loss of upwards of 100 million Africans during the treacherous voyage across the Atlantic and the genocide of millions of Native Americans who were already peacefully residing here in the Western Hemisphere, N.Y.
Numerous Columbus statues nationwide have been vandalized during the past weeks. Some as nearby as Buffalo, N.Y., Boston and Trenton, N.J., were splattered with red paint and/or scrawled with degrading epitaphs.
In response, several cities across the U.S. have pushed for Oct. 12 to be recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead. Alpena, Mich.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Anadarko, Okla.; Bellingham, Wash.; Berkeley, Calif.; Bexar County, Texas (San Antonio); Erie, N.Y.; Lawrence, Kan.; Olympia, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle are some of the municipalities that have already transitioned into using the holiday’s name.
“Not so much an anti-Columbus Day, but a celebration of indigenous peoples’ culture,” explained organizer Cliff Matias about the name change. “It is 500 years and we are still here to share our culture, so that’s pretty amazing. If you look at Columbus’ journey here, and the colonization, and the genocide, and the slavery he brought to this hemisphere, we probably weren’t supposed to make it 500 years later, but our traditions, our culture, they are here.”
Indigenous activists advocate that their history and contributions be accurately documented and properly preserved as well as the myth of Columbus and that the “discovery” of America be truthfully told.
“He never made it out of the Caribbean and was sent back to face charges,” adds Matias. “So even then Columbus was seen as a criminal who filled his ships with rapists, murders and thieves. We are hoping to generate some interest that Columbus is not a great representative. I always say they should have Frank Sinatra Day.”
Last weekend in New York City, the Redhawk Native American Arts Council brought together more than 500 indigenous individuals from 75 different nations on Randall’s Island for a Native American Festival and pow-wow.
“The city of Anadarko is dedicated to opposing systemic racism towards indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education and social crises,” that city’s press release stated.
It concluded, “At its heart, this issue is not about having a ‘chip on your shoulder’ as was suggested by one Council member. It is about recognizing that, despite a turbulent history, indigenous peoples have contributed tremendously to building this city, state and nation into its current greatness.”
Comments are closed.