Should New York City ban Columbus Day?

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

America isn't a "nation-state" so much as it is a "multi-nation state". There are many indigenous communities in America, with their own traditions, languages and customs. It's crucial that the American government respect these communities because they were forcibly absorbed into the American polity in the not-so distant past. Is removing state-sanction for Columbus Day important? Not especially, I'm far more concerned about poverty in those communities but removing state-sanction for Columbus Day would be a symbolic move.

Indigenous communities actually care about this issue. It's a "real" issue for them. It's worth respecting that concern for obvious moral reasons: conquered peoples deserve to be respected by states, it's a crucial aspect of human rights.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

People see Columbus Day more as a symbol of Italian heritage and exploration, than about the man himself. 

I think Enrico Fermi could replace Columbus and everyone would be happy with that.

^^^^^

Only racists and Italians are attached to Columbus Day. I can't say that I'm concerned about the racists but I think that Italian-Americans deserve some sort of celebration for their contributions to American society, Enrico Fermi seems like a good choice.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Whatever white activists might say, the case against Columbus Day isn't aimed at the particular actions of Cristoforo Colombo. The case against Columbus Day is aimed at the fact that he's an unambiguous symbol of the conquest of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, many of whom are American citizens, who deserve a modicum of respect. Again, America is a "multi-nation" state, which is composed of non-indigenous people and various indigenous peoples. This holiday effectively celebrates the forcibly conquest of the later, which is pretty repulsive. Columbus Day simply can't be reconciled with American commitments to the Nez Pearce or the Shoshone or the Crow etc.

Columbus Day controversies may be symbolic but sometimes symbols matter and the attachment to this particular symbol represents the insidious ways that many Americans view the original cultures of this continent, who are either romanticized or treated as barbarians in need of civilizations. They're still alive.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Whatever white activists might say, the case against Columbus Day isn't aimed at the particular actions of Cristoforo Colombo. The case against Columbus Day is aimed at the fact that he's an unambiguous symbol of the conquest of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, many of whom are American citizens, who deserve a modicum of respect. Again, America is a "multi-nation" state, which is composed of non-indigenous people and various indigenous peoples. This holiday effectively celebrates the forcibly conquest of the later, which is pretty repulsive. Columbus Day simply can't be reconciled with American commitments to the Nez Pearce or the Shoshone or the Crow etc.

Columbus Day controversies may be symbolic but sometimes symbols matter and the attachment to this particular symbol represents the insidious ways that many Americans view the original cultures of this continent, who are either romanticized or treated as barbarians in need of civilizations. They're still alive.

Is Thanksgiving a problem then?

I think it's a problem but Thanksgiving is held to be too sacred to be removed. Columbus Day is pretty insignificant, which is why it should be removed and replaced with: a. Enrico Fermi Day b. Indigenous People's Day.

I think reservations should have the option to ignore Thanksgiving.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

We should rename it mammoth remembrance day for the sad demise of the mammoths that the "indigenous" immigrants from the old country killed off. Remember the victims!

so edgy