Someone called this home 30,000 years ago 🪶

Columbus Day: Reflections on History and Controversy

Are you aware of the controversial observance of Columbus Day? Here in 2023, this holiday continues to spark debates and discussions across the United States. While it has traditionally been a day to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, its significance is evolving with a growing emphasis on recognizing native peoples and their history. This is why you may be seeing both “Columbus Day” and ‘Indigenous Peoples Day” on your calendar.

A Shifting Perspective

Columbus Day has long been celebrated with parades, festivals, and historical reenactments. However, in recent years, the holiday’s meaning has undergone a significant transformation. Many now view it as an opportunity to acknowledge the populations that inhabited the Americas long before Columbus’ and other explorer’s arrivals and to confront factual aspects of European colonization.

Recognizing Native Peoples

One of the most notable changes in the way Columbus Day is observed is the increasing focus on Indigenous peoples and their rich cultural heritage. Instead of celebrating Columbus as a hero, communities are turning their attention to the resilience, contributions, and struggles of Native Americans and Indigenous communities.

Renaming and Alternative Celebrations

Some states and cities have taken measures by renaming the holiday. For example, South Dakota officially recognizes it as “Native American Day,” while Vermont celebrates “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” These name changes reflect a growing movement to acknowledge the history, culture, and experiences of Indigenous communities.

Education and Reflection

Columbus Day in 2023 serves as a reminder of the importance of education and reflection. Many schools and educational institutions are taking the opportunity to teach students about the complex history surrounding Columbus and the impacts of European colonization on Indigenous populations. It’s a chance for individuals to gain a deeper understanding of the past and its implications for the present.

Controversy and Debate

Despite these changes, Columbus Day remains a subject of debate. Some argue that Columbus should still be celebrated for his role in history, while others point to the atrocities committed during the age of exploration and colonization. The controversy surrounding the holiday highlights the ongoing need for open dialogue and respectful discussion about our shared history.

Columbus Day 2023 marks another year of evolving perspectives and discussions about the significance of this day. Historians, Archeologists and other researchers believe it is a time to remember the native peoples who have inhabited the Americas for centuries and to engage in thoughtful conversations about history, identity, and reconciliation. Whether you view it as a day of celebration or reflection, one thing is clear: Columbus Day is no longer a simple commemoration of a historic voyage but a symbol of the ongoing dialogue about our past and our future.

Additional facts derived: Colombia is bordered on the north by the Caribbean Sea, northwest by Panama, on the east by Venezuela and Brazil, and on the southwest by Peru and Ecuador. It’s home to the world’s second-largest Spanish-speaking population; However, It has been home to many indigenous people from as early as around 12000 B.C. Many Spanish explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda made their way to the area around 1492, but would only establish their first settlement in 1510, when they pillaged the resources of the natives.

It is said that when Columbus landed in 1492, the Americas had been settled for tens of thousands of years and visited as far back as the Vikings. It appears he wasn’t the first person to discover the continent. Instead, his discovery was the last of many discoveries. 🤔

There are so many details and recorded opinions and facts surrounding this.

It’s no new discovery that obsessive power, controlling monetary gain, notoriety and ignorance have been at the root of human suffering throughout history. An inflated human ego is the worst enemy and the effects it has on others is the cause for turmoil. Without it, there would be harmony.

All praise to the first settlers of America

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Praise to those who have the ability to be heart-driven over ego-driven

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And praise to all the people who strive to make our world a better place

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Wishing you a harmonious day

#indigenouspeopleday