MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Debates continue over Indigenous People’s, Columbus Day

Oct 10, 2022, 6:04 PM | Updated: Oct 11, 2022, 9:06 am

Indigenous People's day...

Republican candidate for New York Governor Congressman Lee Zeldin, front left, greets spectators as he marches up 5th Avenue during the annual Columbus Day Parade, Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

It seems October 10th is a day where people debate the merits of Columbus Day, over the actual celebration of the day itself.

The century-old holiday celebrates the Spanish-funded Italian explorer “discovering” the western hemispheres, with some saying that the holiday is an important marker in history. Others say it celebrates the man who started centuries of oppression of native and enslaved people.

Back in 2015, the Seattle City Council approved a measure to recognize Indigenous People’s Day on the same day as Columbus Day, and last year, President Biden officially recognized Indigenous People’s Day as a national holiday.

Biden is first president to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day

On the Bryan Suits Show on KTTH, host Bryan Suits said that Columbus’ 1492 journey to the new world is something that should be remembered in the context of its time.

“When you study history, you realize it’s not all unicorns and marshmallows, it’s not like Columbus said, ‘oh, make sure all the blankets with smallpox are with us,'” Suits said. “When you look through the moral prism of 2022, you look back on [Columbus] and say, ‘yeah, that was genocide.’ [But back then] it was called conquering, it was called discovering land because the king of Spain sent me here. ”

Others, like Gee Scott from the Gee and Ursula Show, said the barbaric things Columbus did should be denounced rather than celebrated with a federal holiday. Some say Columbus Day is a holiday celebrating Italian Americans, which is why they want to keep celebrating the holiday.

“You said there are a lot of Italian Americans that celebrate Columbus?” Gee asked. “Has anybody read any history on what Christopher Columbus did? Out of all the people to celebrate, do you seriously want to celebrate that man? You can’t pick another person?”

There are other options to give people a federal holiday for, Gee said, specifically pointing to the fact that Election Day is not a holiday that people get to take off.

“The fact that we have Columbus Day as a federal holiday, and not an Election Day as a federal holiday should tell you everything you need to know,” Gee said. “And by the way, while we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I will hope that this country continues to reflect and apologize for the treatment of Native Americans in this country.”

MyNorthwest News

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

49 minutes ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

4 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

5 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

6 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

7 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

8 hours ago

Debates continue over Indigenous People’s, Columbus Day