By: April Hernandez
Although it remains a federal holiday in the United States, Columbus Day has become a topic of debate recently due to the negative impact of European colonization and mistreatment of Indigenous People. Many places are reevaluating the holiday’s meaning and considering alternative ways to observe it.
The New Writing class took to Delta’s halls to ask students around campus to ask: What do you think about changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in some states?
“I think that’s really good because Christopher Columbus was an awful human being and Native Americans deserve more credit because they are the indigenous people”- Jason Donnell
“I’m all for it, they all should. I don’t think that Columbus should be the guy that we are commemorating, considering all the damage that came from what he did.” – English professor, Mark Brown
After learning about him (Christopher Columbus) in history classes I don’t necessarily think he should have a whole day dedicated to himself.” – Amanda Pickleman
Christopher Columbus was an Italian born explorer from Genoa, Italy. He embarked on historic voyages to the Americas in the late fifteenth century. His significant contributions to world exploration earned him a holiday, known as Christopher Columbus Day.
In the United States, Columbus Day was established as a federal holiday in 1937 and is observed on the second Monday in October. The celebration is for Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on Oct 12. 1492, when he and his crew landed in the Bahamas, marking the beginning of European exploration.
Particularly, in Italian American communities the day is celebrated with parades, festivals, and events to honor Italian heritage. Italy, the home country of Columbus, has a celebration known as Giornata Nazionale di Christoforo Colombo.
Some states, including Vermont, Hawaii, and Alaska, celebrate alternative observances like Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Native American Day, and Exploration Day. These observances aim to highlight the valuable contributions, experiences, and diverse cultures of Indigenous People in American history.
