“In fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue… The first American? No, not quite. But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.” —Jean Marzollo Today is Columbus Day—a day once meant to celebrate the man who discovered the New World, and also to celebrate Italian Americans, who previously suffered intense and violent prejudice in the US. Christopher Columbus: explorer, visionary, leader, Catholic, world-changer. Columbus has been smeared as a racist, exploitative tyrant in recent decades, but the real man was far different—like any human, he made mistakes, but his intentions were nearly always good and, far more importantly, his actions indicated a dedication to treating every human, of every race, with respect.
In my town, the M&T Bank had posted a sign on their door to notify everyone that Indigenous Peoples' Day was approaching. So much for Columbus's part in the founding of America! One person I know has told the bank (in person) that she is about to move her account to another bank and she told them why! I hope that other customers let them know how insulting this is and how unacceptable this intrusive message is.
In my town, the M&T Bank had posted a sign on their door to notify everyone that Indigenous Peoples' Day was approaching. So much for Columbus's part in the founding of America! One person I know has told the bank (in person) that she is about to move her account to another bank and she told them why! I hope that other customers let them know how insulting this is and how unacceptable this intrusive message is.