Good Riddance to Columbus Day
This morning when I got up and knew I would be spending some quality time writing, since I have the day off in observance of "Columbus Day", I actually had every intention of writing about how it is high time we said goodbye to this so-called holiday. However, a couple minutes into my am social media catch up ritual it seemed like writing about this day would be akin to beating a dead horse. My timelines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were already full of articles and memes regarding Christopher Columbus' true legacy. One full of atrocities that are far from worthy of celebration.
Long story short, American history as taught in elementary school frames Columbus as a hero explorer and credits him with finding "the new world". However, as many of us grew older, it became quite obvious that hero was not the most appropriate word to describe the man we had come to know as America's father. Rapists, Murderer, Slaver...Satan? Any of these might be more befitting.
Most people, myself included, are so excited for a day off from the rat race that they usually don't care too much about what the reason is. However, in the case of Columbus Day, we'd do better to show a little concern.
The Oatmeal actually has a comic/essay which sums up the whole savage ordeal quite nicely.
When one critically examines the history behind this day, it definitely takes the festive wind right out of one's sails. On the bright side, people are becoming much more aware and intolerant of continuing this particular savage tradition. The movement to abolish Columbus Day seems to be catching, as more cities and states across the United States opt for celebration of the heritages of Indigenous Peoples rather than continue to glorify the vessel of their annihilation.
The sheer amount of conversation I saw today around this topic, and the commitment of people to raise their voices in the renunciation of this unwarranted holiday filled me with joy and hope for the future.
Change is coming, y'all!
Long story short, American history as taught in elementary school frames Columbus as a hero explorer and credits him with finding "the new world". However, as many of us grew older, it became quite obvious that hero was not the most appropriate word to describe the man we had come to know as America's father. Rapists, Murderer, Slaver...Satan? Any of these might be more befitting.
Most people, myself included, are so excited for a day off from the rat race that they usually don't care too much about what the reason is. However, in the case of Columbus Day, we'd do better to show a little concern.
The Oatmeal actually has a comic/essay which sums up the whole savage ordeal quite nicely.
When one critically examines the history behind this day, it definitely takes the festive wind right out of one's sails. On the bright side, people are becoming much more aware and intolerant of continuing this particular savage tradition. The movement to abolish Columbus Day seems to be catching, as more cities and states across the United States opt for celebration of the heritages of Indigenous Peoples rather than continue to glorify the vessel of their annihilation.
The sheer amount of conversation I saw today around this topic, and the commitment of people to raise their voices in the renunciation of this unwarranted holiday filled me with joy and hope for the future.
Change is coming, y'all!
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