The Maryland legislature ought to change the name of Columbus Day

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.