Renaming of Columbus Day
(unknown, Día de la raza (columbus day) in mexico)
There are some cultures who change the name of Columbus Day and celebrate their own importance of the day. There are many Latin American nations that call Columbus Day the Dìa de la Raza meaning the Day of the Race. This is a time where the Hispanics celebrate their culture. In Venezuela they call it Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena meaning Day of the Indigenous Resistance. They renamed Columbus Day to show appreciation to the native people and what they went through.
There are even different states in the United States who have renamed Columbus Day. In South Dakota, it is called Native American Day. In Hawaii it is called Discoverer’s Day which pays tribute to the arrival of Polynesian settlers ("Columbus day,"). It is very interesting how different countries and states changed the name to celebrate what they believe to be important to them. Since not everyone believes that Columbus Day should be celebrated, they believe Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena should be celebrated since it recognizes the indigenous people. I think it is interesting how different people around the world celebrate the same day, October 12, for different meanings.
Was this a great discovery for everyone? Not exactly. Christopher Columbus has a mixed up legacy. “Columbus was a great explorer, but his legacy has been tainted by his treatment of native peoples” (Cale, 2005). He has been recognized for opening America to the European colonization. He has also been blamed obliterating the native people. Unfortunately, he did not find what he went out to explore, a different route to Asia and all the riches. This is “known as the Columbian Exchange, his expeditions set in motion the wide-spread transfer of people, plants, animals, diseases, and cultures that greatly affected nearly every society on the planet” (“Christopher columbus”).
This would be considered a great discovery for everyone if the indigenous people were not treated like they were. Many people today, especially the indigenous people, are very upset on how they were treated and should be shown some respect for all they had to go through. Like I mentioned earlier, thankfully there is a day to remember the hardships that the indigenous people went through. For example, one day that acknowledges the indigenous people is the Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena. It is always important to celebrate people who have fought for their lives, especially if it affects the lives of others.
There are even different states in the United States who have renamed Columbus Day. In South Dakota, it is called Native American Day. In Hawaii it is called Discoverer’s Day which pays tribute to the arrival of Polynesian settlers ("Columbus day,"). It is very interesting how different countries and states changed the name to celebrate what they believe to be important to them. Since not everyone believes that Columbus Day should be celebrated, they believe Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena should be celebrated since it recognizes the indigenous people. I think it is interesting how different people around the world celebrate the same day, October 12, for different meanings.
Was this a great discovery for everyone? Not exactly. Christopher Columbus has a mixed up legacy. “Columbus was a great explorer, but his legacy has been tainted by his treatment of native peoples” (Cale, 2005). He has been recognized for opening America to the European colonization. He has also been blamed obliterating the native people. Unfortunately, he did not find what he went out to explore, a different route to Asia and all the riches. This is “known as the Columbian Exchange, his expeditions set in motion the wide-spread transfer of people, plants, animals, diseases, and cultures that greatly affected nearly every society on the planet” (“Christopher columbus”).
This would be considered a great discovery for everyone if the indigenous people were not treated like they were. Many people today, especially the indigenous people, are very upset on how they were treated and should be shown some respect for all they had to go through. Like I mentioned earlier, thankfully there is a day to remember the hardships that the indigenous people went through. For example, one day that acknowledges the indigenous people is the Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena. It is always important to celebrate people who have fought for their lives, especially if it affects the lives of others.