Columbus Day - Or Colonizing Day

Today is Columbus Day, which honors Christopher Columbus and celebrates the "discovery" of the Americas.

As we all know, however, Christopher Columbus didn't "discover" anything - he merely helped colonize it. Moreover, his exploration was strongly motivated by a desire to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity. Columbus subdued and murdered natives in his efforts to gather riches and enslaved the people he met in the "New World," people who greeted him with hospitality, kindness, and trust.

So on this Columbus Day, I encourage you to think about the indigenous people who are not celebrated. The people who were enslaved, forced to convert, murdered, and wiped out from disease. Remember and honor them instead of Columbus.

I also encourage you to watch this awesome video and petition for a nationally recognized holiday that commemorates and celebrates indigenous peoples!