Mickey Starling
ECB Publishing, Inc.
With all of the cultural confusion and conflict that is swirling these days, why not explore another area that is a hotbed of debate? Columbus Day, which is still somewhat celebrated on the second Monday in October by some, has been assaulted by many folks because of Columbus' treatment of Native Americans living on the newly discovered continent. Brutality, rape and murder are recurring themes in some historical accounts of his exploration, which soon became confiscation. Indigenous natives may also have reacted savagely at times, but they had legitimate reasons for their response in many cases.
The holiday in Columbus' honor began in the late 1800s, celebrated mostly by Catholics and Italian Americans, who saw the holiday as a way to celebrate their contributions to a society that looked upon neither of them favorably. However, there was an Italian immigration boom in this time period that served to intensify bigotry against Italians. In 1890, New Orleans Police Chief David Hennessy, known for frequently arresting Italian Americans, was murdered. As a result, more than a hundred Italian immigrants were arrested. The following year, nine of those arrested were acquitted, which resulted in a violent mob breaking into the city prison. The rioters beat, shot and hanged at least 11 Italian Americans. To this day, the incident remains one of the worst mass lynchings in U.S. history. Across the pond, Italy was outraged and cut off diplomatic ties with the U.S., which eventually motivated President Benjamin Harrison to proclaim a nationwide celebration of “Discovery Day” in 1892, recognizing Columbus as a “pioneer of progress and enlightenment.” It became a national holiday under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934. It was this attempt to make ammends for previous bigotry and abuse against Italian Americans that spurred the holiday into the national prominence that it has enjoyed for decades.
On the flip side, people of Indigenous ancestry have felt the holiday was a slap in the face, celebrating Columbus' harsh treatment of their ancestors, which was largely responsible for their population's massive decline after making European contact. Their painful past fueled the introduction of Indigenous People's Day in the 2010s. Some states now recognize both holidays simultaneously, while others have dropped Columbus and his battered reputation entirely. Even his namesake city of Columbus, Ohio, recognizes only Indigenous People's Day.
A positive result of all of this bickering occurred in 2019, when New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell apologized for the 1891 lynchings of those Italian Americans. Though no apologies will bring back those who lost their lives far too soon, perhaps it will help the nation move forward with the ability to celebrate the discovery of our present homeland and the Indigenous natives who are also forever a part of our heritage.