The Columbus Conundrum: What We're All Getting Wrong

One of the most controversial topics left on the American agenda in 2020 remains a contested issue in the eyes of the public. Similar issues have succumbed to public pressure, but the celebration and commemoration of Christopher Columbus remains a hot button topic for not only the parties involved but all Americans.

As far as the national political stage goes, both President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, have agreed that Columbus Day is here to stay. Biden was the true wild card in this contest because Trump made his stance clear. For Biden to refuse to succumb to public pressure is a huge win for some in the Italian American community but leaves an open wound in the hearts of those who identify as indigenous peoples.

Being both a second-generation Italian American and involved in the heat of the 2020 election, what I’ve noticed from both sides is that this issue is largely misunderstood because it’s such a polarizing topic.

Before even beginning this conversation, it’s important to recognize and learn the history of Columbus Day in the first place. The celebration of Columbus’ voyage to the Americas is not something new and has been celebrated as early as 1792. President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation in 1892 issuing that Americans celebrate the holiday. It is well documented that this was in response to the largest mass lynching in American history, which was of 11 Italian American men for a crime they did not commit. Harrison’s goal was to ease tensions with the Italian American community. It is easy to forget that the United States was cited human rights violations on more than one occasion for the treatment of the Italian American community by countries around the globe.

Although it’s been a long time since 1892, it’s important for everyone to remember that Italian Americans were not fully adopted into American culture until recently. When I say recently, I’m referring to those darker-skinned Italian Americans who were segregated in schools and the internment of Italian Americans during World War II.

The Italian American community shouldn’t be at fault for the American government giving them a day to celebrate their pride and what they spun to be their contribution to America. Now, most opposing Columbus Day aren't acknowledging the reason why it was created in the first place and why it is such a sensitive topic for the Italian American community. We are more than willing to listen, but also wanted to be listened to.

Italian Americans are not necessarily fighting for Columbus, the man, but fighting to protect their contribution to America that took years to acknowledge and is still constantly tarnished by stereotypes. After the American government cemented the Italian American legacy in Columbus for political gain, how can a third party not understand that many Italian Americans will have a problem with the issue of taking the one day that celebrates their pride nationally?

Now the counter argument is Italian Americans have to learn and accept the pain of those indigenous peoples who faced injustice longer than every other American ethnic group. Injustice has been a part of any country’s history, but I will acknowledge that my ancestors’ pain is nowhere near the extent that Native Americans have faced and continue to face.

For those who are claiming and justifying the removal of Columbus Day are wrong when they are saying that it is not a day meant to celebrate Italian pride, because it, in fact, is. Does this mean someone should be forced to celebrate Columbus Day? Absolutely not. However, it does mean that taking away Columbus Day without a replacement for Italian Americans will erase the gift the American government gave Italian American immigrants in the first place.

Now hear me correctly when I say, I am definitely open to change. I am open to the celebration of indigenous peoples and willing to acknowledge their suffering. I am not standing against anyone. I am asking to work alongside my fellow Americans to create a better union for us all.

With this, I am not calling readers to arms, but calling for compromise.