Views expressed in opinion columns are the writer’s personal.
It was a stunning second for me in elementary college to search out out Christopher Columbus was not the primary to find the Americas. It was much more stunning for me to be taught of the horrors he and different colonists amassed. What was most stunning to me, nonetheless, was the truth that we’d been taught to have fun Columbus for therefore lengthy, however in any case we knew about him, I may by no means perceive how this man represented a historical past to have fun.
Previously few years, counties throughout Maryland have adopted laws changing Columbus Day with a celebration of Indigenous folks. The College of Maryland’s personal Pupil Authorities Affiliation has enacted a decision that acknowledges the vacation as Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a substitute.
Advertisement
With an increasing number of native jurisdictions changing Columbus Day — why is the state of Maryland nonetheless observing a vacation that celebrates a illustration of this nation’s brutal colonial historical past?
It’s excessive time this state formally ends the celebration of Columbus Day and as a substitute makes use of the day to honor Native American communities.
The speedy change in insurance policies on Columbus Day inside the native governments of this state is indicative of the altering attitudes of Marylanders on acknowledging our nation’s historical past and the folks we needs to be celebrating. These are applaudable steps, nonetheless, Maryland state legislature must undertake HB0565, a invoice that will substitute Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
This laws has been launched within the Maryland Normal Meeting thrice, however has by no means progressed additional than the primary referral committee.
The adamant place of this state’s legislature to not take motion on this invoice exhibits it doesn’t see this coverage change as a precedence. There shouldn’t be a disparity within the figures our state representatives resolve for us to have fun versus those that we select to have fun.
Advertisement
It tells us loads about what this state’s priorities are when it’s develop into this troublesome to finish the celebration of a historical past that actively sanitizes the brutality Christopher Columbus facilitated and enacted upon the Indigenous folks of this land.
Some may argue altering the identify of a vacation is merely a symbolic gesture. Nevertheless, this state’s authorities precisely representing and acknowledging our historical past has an immense and direct profit.
Our historical past has hurtful elements, however we can’t refuse to reconcile with it by persevering with to have fun those self same elements. Not solely is it insensitive to the communities who’ve suffered, nevertheless it actively contributes to downplaying and even omitting the devastating affect Columbus had on Indigenous folks. Acknowledging damaging elements of our historical past begins with ending the celebration of a day that glorifies the Indigenous oppression this nation has established itself upon.
For our authorities to take a step again and say, “Okay, this celebration of our nation has been misplaced and wrongfully directed to the glorification of a person with a legacy riddled with injustice,” could be an enormous step in reconciling a really delicate and sorrowful historical past. This provides academics, leaders and residents of this state the chance to rethink how we speak about Columbus’ arrival to this nation and reassess {our relationships} with the folks native to it.
I’ve heard the argument that taking away Columbus Day detracts from a vacation important to Italian Individuals. However on the finish of the day, it’s solely used to stall legit motion on the problem.
Advertisement
If that is really a priority, this state has the flexibility to have fun the historical past of Italian Individuals and their heritage with out glorifying the life and actions of a nicely established colonizer. Designating a date to honor outstanding Italian immigrants might be considered one of many options. Colorado state legislature renamed the day after Mom Frances Cabrini, an advocate for Italian immigrants, youngsters and the poor. Diane di Prima’s poem, “Whose Day is it Anyway?” proposes an intensive checklist of Italian Individuals worthy of honor over Columbus.
Rewriting our historical past begins with reassessing the historic figures we wish to have fun as a state. Prince George’s, Howard and Montgomery counties have already taken the steps to reshape this misrepresentation of historical past. These counties perceive how Columbus Day impacts the notion of not solely our personal nationwide identities, however the identities of others in our society as nicely. The remainder of the state should catch up.
Youngsters rising up in Maryland should be taught from day one which Christopher Columbus shouldn’t be the form of individual we needs to be celebrating. This training will start solely when their state governments cease encouraging his commemoration. It’s time the Maryland legislature mirrors the rising sentiments of the state and swaps Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Imaan Shikoh is a sophomore public coverage main. She could be reached at ishikoh@terpmail.umd.edu.
Ensure that your prospective college offers globally recognized credentials if you plan to further your education or practice internationally.
Consider Your Future Goals
Considering your goals when choosing an online college helps you select a program that fits your current needs and prepares you for long-term success.
If you intend to work right after graduation, choose a program that aligns with your desired career path. Look for concentrations or specialized tracks that can provide in-depth knowledge in your field.
Advertisement
However, if you plan to pursue further education such as a master’s or doctoral degree, ensure that credits from your online college are transferable to other schools. Also ensure that the college’s credentials are globally recognized, if you intend to work or study abroad.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Online colleges in Maryland (particularly private institutions), can be quite expensive, compared to other online schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average undergraduate tuition and required fees for four-year public schools is $9,750 per year; meanwhile, enrollees in four-year private colleges may pay north of $38,000 per year.
If private university tuition is out of your budget, consider enrolling in a state-owned online school such as the University of Maryland Global Campus, which only requires about $8,000 in annual tuition and fees.
Aside from seeking affordable online programs, here are other ways to fund your college education:
Complete the FAFSA®
Apply for institutional scholarships
Take a private student loan
Enroll in a work-study program
Ask your employer about a tuition reimbursement program
BALTIMORE – With a little more than two months until election day, the majority of Marylanders surveyed in the new Gonzales Poll would vote for Vice President Kamala Harris over Donald Trump for president.
A total of 820 registered voters in Maryland who indicated they are likely to vote in the 2024 general election were queried for the poll by live telephone interviews, utilizing both landline and cellphone numbers between August 24 and August 30.
A cross-section of interviews was conducted throughout the state, reflecting Maryland’s general election voting patterns, the pollster said.
The Gonzales Poll stated that “the margin of error, per accepted statistical standards, is a range of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points and if the entire population was surveyed, there is a 95% probability that the true numbers would fall within this range.”
Advertisement
Presidential survey
According to the latest Gonzales Poll, 56% of Marylanders surveyed said they would vote for Harris over Trump for president.
According to the latest Gonzales Poll, 56% of Marylanders say they would vote for Kamala Harris over Trump for president.
Gonzales Poll
The poll says 84% of Democrats support the Harris/Tim Walz ticket and 80% of Republicans support the Trump/JD Vance ticket. Also, 83% of Black voters polled would vote for Harris/Walz.
Among the independents, 38% favor Harris/Walz and 36% prefer Trump/Vance, according to the poll.
Advertisement
Gov. Moore’s approval gets a bump
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who led the state’s response to the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March, has the approval of 64% of Marylanders surveyed. Moore has a 35% “mostly soft approval” among Republicans who were surveyed (7% strongly approve, 28% somewhat approve),” the poll shows.
His approval rating increased by 33% since the last Gonzales Poll in the winter.
His approval rating increased by 33% since the last Gonzalez poll in the winter.
Gonzales Poll
Last month, the governor spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of Harris, who was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.
Advertisement
He framed Harris’ candidacy as “the story of a prosecutor who defended our freedoms and had Maryland’s back when we needed it most. And now MVP: We’ve got yours.”
President Biden’s approval
The Gonzales Poll shows that 53% of Maryland voters surveyed approve of the job President Joe Biden is doing, while 45% disapprove. Seventy-six percent of the Democrats believe Biden is doing a good job in office, and 84% of Republicans disagree.
Gonzales Poll
State transportation and juvenile reform
According to the poll, 95% of Marylanders think it is “important for the State to invest in improving its transportation infrastructure.”
Advertisement
And, when it comes to juvenile crime, voters were asked, “What type of laws, in your opinion, ultimately better help our children under 18 who commit crimes – Laws that are strict, which include things such as juvenile detention and boot camps. This hold individuals responsible and accountable for their behavior; or Laws that are lenient, which include social programs and counseling. This recognizes that society is responsible for much of this behavior?”
The poll showed that 58% of Marylanders are in favor of strict laws, which hold juveniles responsible and accountable for their behavior, and only 34% desire laws that are lenient.
Gonzales Poll
The poll shows that 58% of Marylanders are in favor of strict laws, which holds juveniles responsible and accountable for their behavior, and only 34% desire laws that are lenient.
“A majority of nearly every demographic group backs strict laws to inspire a sense of personal responsibility and to best assist our juvenile offenders ultimately realize at least a chance at a successful, happy life,” the poll said.
Advertisement
Is the country going in the right direction?
Fifty percent of Marylanders polled say the country is headed in the right direction, while 45% say the country is headed in the wrong direction.
According to the poll, 93% of Maryland voters who think the country is moving in the right direction are voting for Harris/Walz, and 70% of Maryland voters who think the country is moving in the wrong direction are voting for Trump/Vance.
Fifty percent of Marylanders polled say the country is headed in the right direction, while 45% say the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Gonzales Poll
In the previous poll, 41% of voters said the country was headed in the right direction.
Advertisement
“The mood of voters in Maryland vis-à-vis how they perceive things overall going in the country is a tad less grumpy than it was in winter,” the Gonzales Poll said.
Adam Thompson
Adam Thompson is a digital content producer for CBS Baltimore.
Proud Montgomery County, MD resident Gavriella Kaufmann (Potomac) won her episode of FOX’s game show “Name that Tune”, which aired last week.
Kaufmann, who was born and raised in Potomac and graduated from Churchill High School in 2015, stated in an interview with FOX 5, that she has always been into music and referred to herself as a music and game show savant. When she saw an ad on LinkedIn about being on season 4 of the game show, she immediately knew she had to do it.
“I’ve loved game shows for as long as I can remember, and music has always been a huge part of my life. Being on Name That Tune was the perfect combination of both passions—it was like a dream come true.” Kaufmann told us.
The episode had a happy ending, with Kaufmann winning a whopping $85,000! She added, “When I was on Name That Tune, I was so focused on doing my best and naming as many songs as possible that I completely lost track of the score. It wasn’t until Jane, the host, told me my total. I was in complete shock, but it was such an incredible moment!”
