Biden’s Reckless Disrespect to Columbus Day Promises More Division

Former President Donald Trump articulated on a recent Sunday his intent to stray away from the practice established by his successor, Joe Biden, who chose to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day together with Columbus Day in October. The Democrats, Trump accused, have tarnished the image and contributions of Christopher Columbus, crusading to uphold symbols that he believes represent the core American heritage.

Interestingly, the case was that Joe Biden became the first president in US history to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day. This happened in 2021 when he issued a declaration filled with apparent reverence for ‘the valuable additions and fortitude of Indigenous tribes’ while admitting to their ‘innate sovereignty.’ According to this declaration, America was found on ‘a promise of equality and opportunity for all people’ – a promise which Biden concedes has yet to be entirely actualized.

Biden continues, particularly regarding ‘upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous populations’ that inhabited the region before the initiation of colonization. However, one could argue that such a declaration panders to popular progressive ideologies rather than addressing the complex needs of the indigenous communities.

In response, Trump took to social media on a recent Sunday and heralded, ‘I’m resurrecting Columbus Day from its ruin.’ His message here seemed to be clear – he is committed to restoring the legacy of Columbus and is well aware of the symbolism that it entails.

In his conversation on Truth Social, Trump continued his campaign against the Democrats, accusing them of destroying Columbus’s legacy and alienating the Italian-American community in the process. Trump appealed to the masses, essentially arguing that traditional American icons and history must be conserved, reinforcing his quintessential stance.

Though the second Monday of October remained as Columbus Day during Biden’s tenure, it was nonetheless juxtapositioned with the recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a testament to the influence of activists who have tried to divert the attention from celebrating Columbus’ voyages to Americas to his alleged interference with the indigenous population on his arrival.

It’s noteworthy that Columbus’ adventures never brought him onto mainland North America, let alone in any territory that would later become one of the 50 states. Still, Columbus, a native of Genoa, increasingly became glorified in American narratives as Italian immigrants began entering the country. Politicians keen to garner their support, therefore, commemorated Columbus.

The first Columbus Day celebration in the United States emerged from the lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans in 1891. A year later, in response to this horrific event, President Benjamin Harrison initiated the first official recognition of Columbus Day in an attempt to win their support.

Afterwards, President Franklin D. Roosevelt augumented this commemoration further, declaring Columbus Day as a national holiday in 1934. In this way it is clear, the creation and preservation of Columbus Day somehow appear to be more connected to the politics of currying favor than to any historical events or figures.

Trump, sticking to his narrative, continued to voice strong grievances about the Democrats’ approach, denouncing their destruction of Columbus statues. His grievances were reiterated once more in his latest Sunday’s post on Truth Social. Trump’s dissent against what he perceives as a systematic erasure of American history becomes evident.

However, it can be observed that these statues, symbols of historical reverence or otherwise, are still standing today. Albeit detoriated, these monuments are still a part of the American cityscape. A counterpoint to Trump’s allegations might suggest other factors, such as time, weather and vandalism, have equally contributed to their degradation.

Despite ideological differences, the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the historical narrative surrounding him remain a contentious issue. The comprehensive understanding and acceptance of the complete narrative, either Columbus’ pioneering spirit or his invasion’s consequences on indigenous communities, is a challenge still facing the American society.

Different political factions have tried to leverage this narrative for various reasons. Where Democrats appear to underscore the indigenous people’s plight and their mistreatment following colonization, Republicans, like Trump, want to maintain the celebratory narrative around Columbus, a symbol of American resilience and fortitude.

However, the question of how to approach history remains. Should it be a tool to perpetuate certain political agendas or be regarded as a complex narrative, providing valuable lessons? How much of the past can one alter without obscuring the objectivity of history itself? Answers to these may well lie in the balanced and nuanced understanding, rather than in extreme interpretations.

In the end, the discourse around Columbus Day and the Indigenous Peoples Day not only reflect the ongoing struggle between contrasting ideologies but also the current polarized climate affecting America’s societal dynamics. What remains is a divided nation, where tolerance for difference in perspectives seems secondary to political aspiration and gain.