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Columbus Day Vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: How About Happy Immigration Day?

by Philip Bump | 12:28 pm, October 10th, 2011

» 25 comments

People are — and always have been — selfish jerks. That’s indisputable. It’s not worth fighting over.

Our forefathers were oppressed and were oppressors. In the quest for glory and wealth, Europeans did horrible things to those Native Americans who had the gall to get to the New World first. Once established, Americans did more horrible things to them. I don’t say this to diminish the terrible and innovative horrors – I say it to acknowledge that people from Europe and America treated people from America and Africa as no one should ever be treated.

Some see this behavior as an illness, a virus that first infected the Caribbean on October 12, 1492. To them, Columbus Day isn’t a day to celebrate the arrival of the first (non-Scandinavian) European to America – it’s an opportunity to call attention to the genocidal acts that followed when East met West. Started in Berkeley in 1992, today is also known as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” a day on which to celebrate the native people who first lived in America.

I appreciate the sentiment. It’s easy to elide the marginalized from our consideration of history. But the response seems knee-jerk, a yin counter to the yang implications of celebrating the man who cracked open the door of genocide. A door, let’s be honest, that would have been opened sooner or later anyway. If Columbus hadn’t discovered America, it’s safe to assume that this continent wouldn’t still today be populated by a few thousand Iroquois, Sioux and Mayans.

Columbus Day was founded not as a celebration of Christopher Columbus, but as a celebration of a group of people – Catholics. The Knights of Columbus pushed for national recognition that a Catholic was the first to land on our shores, hoping to combat a surge of anti-Catholic sentiment in the middle of the 19th Century. Catholics from Ireland, Italy, Germany and Russia were immigrating at a significant rate, and meeting the traditional American cold shoulder once onshore.

That’s why today should, instead of Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, be Immigration Day. A day to celebrate the American tradition of immigration, the blended and the discrete contributions of millions of Americans from thousands of national and ethnic origins. An Immigration Day holiday maintains the true spirit of Columbus Day – celebrating the contributions of one group – while respecting that America has been built by all Americans: oppressors, oppressed, and observers.

At any moment, it’s easy to forget the contributions that immigration has made to our country. America seems static – it is as it always has been. This is why the immigration of Mexicans is as frightening to some today as the immigration of the Irish was to others 150 years ago. It’s an introduction of new elements to what seems like the perfect mix. But it has always worked; it has always made us stronger.

It is true that there’s no official recognition of the native populations that were displaced – unwillingly – in the creation of our country. But the best tribute to that aspect of America’s history isn’t a day created in angry reaction to Christopher Columbus. It’s a day that respects the unique contributions of indigenous peoples and is honest about the way we built America at their expense.

America, after all, was founded with the still-not-perfected idea that every person has a voice and a role to play in contributing to our mutual success. It’s the opposite of a land that celebrates the selfish individual. In America, your success is subject to the whims of the majority. Columbus unveiled a new world. Americans made it open to everyone.

So happy Immigration Day. My French Huguenot and German and Scottish and British ancestors made me just as your ancestors and millions of immigrants made America. Immigration is America, it’s what makes our country what it is. Let’s celebrate those millions, instead of fighting over just one.

Grayce

“It’s the opposite of a land that celebrates the selfish individual. In
America, your success is subject to the whims of the majority.”

BUT many people are reading and believing in Ayn Rand, who celebrates the individual and indeed, concludes that selfishness is good. You should read some of it. Then worry.
Anonymous

When I send my kid to kindergarten, they better not teach sharing, that’s socialism.
TruDat

And the kid better not wear manufactured clothing; that’s capitalism.
caconservative

I read the entire article expecting it to turn into a justification piece for the invasion of illegal alien parasite Mexicans, and sure as hell, there it is. Of course, omitting the fact that the Irish and other groups from Europe came here legally would be a distraction from the scenario needed to support the story. We may have formed this country by immigration but, we are no longer a country of immigrants and haven’t been for over a hundred years.
CarmanK

Such bitter remarks for such an upbeat and encouraging article. We are a nation of immigrants, and the very fact that we have blended so well through the years is a tribute to the founders and the ULTIMATE OBJECTIVES of the US CONSTITUTION. It is a document of hope, dreams and ideals for mankind. Peoples of all nationalities and colors came her seeking freedom from the tyranny of their homeland. The Mexicans come here to work seeking freedom from the oppression of corruption and criminal drug cartels. There is plenty in this land, but we have a broken political system that is only serving the interests of corporate america and the rich cowards that hide behind the corporate shields to commit criminal acts against american society without going to jail. We need Elliot Spitzer as Attorney General of the US to go after the hustlers on WALL STREET. We need Elizabeth Warren to fight for consumer justice and we need the dems to stand up to the TPARTY NATIONALISTS and stop the decline of our democracy. We are a rich country, we are a nation of decent human beings who want a FAIR and decent society in which live, work and raise a family. WALL STREET FORGOT that it operated for the good of the nation. And unfortunately, so many inn this country have forgotten that an ECONOMY serves the needs of the society. That whatever the means of production and distribution, it is to service the needs of the population. Not the other way around.
Anonymous

I say, how about this, A Happy illegal Alien Deportation Day.

I can’t believe how ,many American citizens are happy to just let foreign invading illegal immigrant aliens walk in, work at cheap wages undercutting American workers. Then the illegals get free medical care, free schooling, subsidized higher education and start sucking up evermore taxpayer dollars and benefits (supposedly) reserved for American citizens only.

Then it dawned on me, they could care less, for almost 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax whatsoever. These people are really just grifter’s themselves, with no dog in the tax burden fight, sucking up freebie taxpayer dollars, while screaming and yelping for more, more, ever more, from those who do pay federal income taxes.
Anonymous

How about leaving Columbus Day the way it is today — a celebration of Columbus’ spirit and accomplishment as well as the European discovery of the Western Hemisphere! And how about judging history by the mores, culture and knowledge of its time, instead of imposing today’s political correctness on long past events? Many holidays and celebration traditions have their origins in religions, customs and beliefs that are no longer extant. These occasions have evolved with the times and are enjoyed today for the meaning they have taken on in our time. Columbus Day should be no different. Additionally, it should not be used as an excuse to promote left-wing radicalism and/or socialist propaganda. Most Americans like Columbus Day just the way it is. Don’t tell us what to think and what we should like in order to fit someone’s political agenda. That’s manipulative and DISGUSTING!
Fred Goodwin

@CarmanK: we are also a nation of laws (you know, like the Constitution that you supposedly believe in?). Did you forget about that part?
http://profiles.google.com/gbthrasher Greg Thrasher

Columbus was jewish….It is pc to note this and demonize him then??
Anonymous

Hmmmm, I understand your outrage, but I have just one small question for you: ‘Are You Equally Outraged at The Companies that hire such immigrant aliens that walk in, work at cheap wages, undercutting the American worker?’ I would figure that they have a responsibility to the country to build the American Worker, just as their pockets, fore the American people are the force(spending) to his pockets getting fattened….what do you think?
Anonymous

Hmmmmm, ‘And how about judging history by the mores, culture and knowledge of its time’…that could be judged very critical depending on those doing the judging…..so therefore,’These occasions have evolved with the times and are enjoyed today for the meaning they have taken on in our time ‘ … is true at present, but may have not been at that time…..Im not sure whether a left-wing or right-wing agenda is at play, but one should actually study history to find the real facts and not what has been ‘ginned up’ to make some feel good!
Hanavaim

CarmanK when you think that our forefather’s came to the new world seeking Religious FREEDOM, and denied it to the inhabitants of the land; and after the “indian wars” took on the responsibility of being Caregivers to their indigenous wards, do you think it would be possible for The People to take the American Government to Court, and sue for Child Abuse and Neglect?
Chistosa96

Those illegal aliens are not grifters, many pay federal taxes.
Anonymous

How about getting back to the business of creating a better life for your families and communities? All of this journalistic tripe about who did what to whom in the age of Colonialism is RETARDED. What do journalists get for writing about stuff like this? A mantle of moral authority while not creating one whit of value for anybody except people who are addicted to this Marxist revisionist history drivel? I am an American Indian and we lost the war. We picked up the guns and lost. Now it is time to get on with maintaining our traditions and educating our children so they may survive. What the teacher in school tells them is just so much BS as it is for little squirrely white kids and all of their “services” and “programs” they are addicted too. :Let em have it. Let the taxpayers let their government pay for all of that nonsense. End result of bad history and throwing good money after bad? The “Nation” is in deep doo-doo. The “Nation” is afraid and diseased. Live it or live with it. But articles like this don’t put fuzz on the peaches. In other words, this article has nothing to do with reality of living and dying on this land. Nothing whatsoever!
Anonymous

What federal taxes, FICA? They will get back 100 fold over any ammout they pay in for SS and Medicare.

If you are stating the illegals are paying federal income tax, prove it.
Anonymous

It is unlawful for anyone to knowingly employ illegal immigrants, why the law is not enforced, talk to Big Sis Nappy and Obama about that issue.
Anonymous

Sharing is only socialism when it is forced at the point of a gun. Do not pay your taxes so the socialists can spread your money around to share your income and buy votes, the government will send people with guns to give you an attitude adjustment.
Trtippetts

I agree with everything you just said. But, as you may know, when you point out and say look at what you have done, and point to the truth of the matter, people often get angry. I think its the shame that they feel when the truth is pointed out.
I think that a German for instance can feel pride in being German. And in Germany its self, and be a patriotic German. But still be honest and come to terms with what Gremany did to the Jews. Also, an American can be proud to be American. Be a patriotic American, and still be honest and come to terms with what Americans did to the indigonous peoples and the slaves.
Anonymous

‘Come On’ Tan…..so your response is about POTUS Obama, really………its the ‘Corporate Conglamerate’ thats doing the hiring even as its ‘unlaw-ful’…..are you really that short-sighted????
Anonymous

I like that…’if you are stating the illegals are paying federal income tax, prove it’…..and I ask you to ‘prove that Corporations are NOT hiring illegals because its ‘unlaw-ful’????!!!!
Anonymous

I have to prove nothing, I did not state corporations were NOT hiring illegals, period. You stated the illegals are paying federal income tax.

When one presents a statement as fact, they had best be prepared to back up said statement with irrefutable provenance. Sound of crickets chirping!!
caconservative

So holding a job, which requires legal documentation, is NOT grifting?! The very moment these parasites stepped foot in our country illegally was the very moment any and all discussion ended! There is no legal or moral argument beyond deporting these criminals. The only reason entering our country illegally isn’t a felony is because we have spineless dogs in Congress afraid to piss off their handlers. Fact is, for every $3 dollars a minority of them pay, it costs the American taxpayer $5 to support the social welfare programs these parasites freely use.
caconservative

Wrong, we are no longer a Nation of immigrants. The vast majority of citizens were born in this country. Your statement about Mexicans coming here to escape the drug cartels is disingenuous on it’s face. A bad attempt at making these parasites look as though they’re illegal criminal behavior should be acceptable! Never, do you or any illegal alien parasites justifier mention the harm done to the real victims in this issue, the legal American citizens of this country. We have a scumbag Governor in California who just signed a Dream Act bill allowing the children of illegal alien parasites to attend college paying in-state fees! On how many levels is that WRONG?!!
Spitzer and Warren, two of the most reprehensible socialist dupes in this country and you want them in power?! Are you kidding?!!
A fair and descent society is a society living within the same culture, language, laws and social norms that are now being diluted by an onslaught of illegal aliens who have absolutely no intention of adopting our culture. Come to California, or any border state that has been overrun by these parasites and you will quickly see what I’m talking about!
Wall St. is not operated for the good of the country, it’s operated for the good of business and the people who buy shares in those companies. The good, is a result of these businesses growing and hiring people. They are not there to ensure you have a free ride! Production and distribution is NOT subject to the whims of this colossal failure called the Federal government!
caconservative

He was an Italian Jew?? Really?
CarmanK

Your lily white society is working just fine in TX. Rick Perry must be your hero. He too believes that the states should be a gathering of like minded people-same color of skin, same language, same culture, same, same, same. It is a common attacking point to blame the other for societal failures, Ronald Reagan was a master at demonizing the poor, the unions, the minorities, THE OTHER. What was GOD thinking when he created human kind with such diversity!!. Our society, a democracy, strives for equality for all those given life by their creator. The people who come here seeking FREEDOM are not parasites. We have an immigration problem because the repugs did nothing after the 1980′s reform which gave amnesty to “illegals” . But children who are born in the US have a right to have their parents around to raise them. Children brought here as infants and raised as americans deserve the chance to demonstrate that they can be good citizens. Our jobs problem is the direct result of the repeal of Glass-Stiegel and the GREED AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR ON WALL STREET that it unleashed. The economy serves the needs of the people, it is not the other way around.