Reconsider Columbus Day?

MrsKizdoodle

I have never given much (if any) thought to Columbus Day so this made me stop and think.  There is a movement to eradicate the holiday from the federal calendar because of what Columbus did in terms of slavery and negative treatment of the indigenous people of the lands which he "discovered" (that is disputed)

http://www.reconsidercolumbusday.org/Home.html

 

What do you think?

MichellePete

It's interesting because I think the movement is more prevelent in other areas of the country.  To me, it seemed like we 'celebrated' Columbus Day and all thta went with it one year and the next it was just gone.  He was a hero one year and not the next.

I'm conflicted.  I understand that he wasn't the do-gooder that that he was made out to be when I was a kid.  But I also have to consider that what he did was part of the culture that existed back then. 

I also think that to some degree people feel like Federal holidays are just another day off.  I don't know of many adults who contemplate the reason for the holiday on the day it occurs.

ercsa29

When I was in high school my Spanish teacher brought up this topic. I get it and for the most part, agree with it.

Maybe rename it? "Bank holiday" or "Enjoy Fall Day" or if you want to keep the history in it something that doesn't honor just one man.

I agree with Michelle that most people don't even think about why they have a day off.  

GermanGirl2007

MichellePete:

It's interesting because I think the movement is more prevelent in other areas of the country.  To me, it seemed like we 'celebrated' Columbus Day and all thta went with it one year and the next it was just gone.  He was a hero one year and not the next.

I'm conflicted.  I understand that he wasn't the do-gooder that that he was made out to be when I was a kid.  But I also have to consider that what he did was part of the culture that existed back then. 

I also think that to some degree people feel like Federal holidays are just another day off.  I don't know of many adults who contemplate the reason for the holiday on the day it occurs.

First off, I agree, I have never "celebrated" Columbus day.  Other than having the day off of work from time to time, and learning about the Nina the Pinta and the Santa Maria in elementary school, I have never really given the day much thought. 

 That said, I DO think that we should reconsider this holiday.  And while I understand that this was before the Civil Rights movement, I think that terrorizing and victimizing people at any point in history is unacceptable.  To me, that is just a moral absolute.  I know that is not what you were saying, but I think that particularly now that we are a more "enlightened" society, we do need to take a hard look at whether it is worthwhile to change some of our traditions because they celebrate a piece of American history that is questionable at best.

Then again, this is just my knee-jerk reaction, so I am totally open to listening to what others have to say about this.