Alaska Renames Columbus Day ‘Indigenous Peoples Day’!

[MikeRox]

SubiyaCryolite said:

MikeRox said:

I can sympathise with the decision, however attempting to erase history may also lead to unintended consequences.

I don't generally really like any celebration of a particular demographic simply because it is exclusive thing to do and while it may seem empowering, can also swing the other way and be dividing. It's not something that will ultimately lead to more inclusion and this seems to be becoming an increasing problem for the US now through what is becoming a seeping resentment.

Erase history? How?

Regardless of what he did, he was still the person who "kick started things" in America. Columbus is a key figure in the United State's history regardless of what he has done. Whether the means are agreed with is arbitary. Deciding in the 21st century that actually, the bloke did some things we don't like, therefore we refuse to acknowledge him" is actually an attempt to erase history (we no longer want to think bad people ever contributed anything, again, see Hitler). Such stances merely set us up to repeat the past.

By that, I mean, we're brushing figures under the carpet, because we no longer much like how they conducted themselves. However at the time (and for centuries after) it was perfectly acceptable behaviour. It is both attempting to erase history (which you can't escape, as others have said, some of the world's greatest innovations have come from awful situations) and also in the choosing of "indigenous People's day" a cynical attempt for people to try and rid themselves of guilt for what their ancestors have done. It's not productive.