Abolish Columbus Day as a National Holiday
We the undersigned propose that the United States Government discontinue the practice of celebrating Columbus Day as a National Holiday due to the racist nature of the holiday's origin. Columbus Day should not be celebrated as a National Holiday due to the fact that many of the indigenous peoples of our nation find it culturally offensive.
We propose that Columbus Day be replaced with a National Holiday such as Native American Appreciation Day, Cultural Awareness Day, or another such holiday which would spread brotherhood and equality throughout our nation.
People could choose to celebrate Columbus Day in their own homes. For example, many people celebrate Saint Patrick's Day or Groundhog's Day; however, these are not National Holidays. National Holidays should be days that may be celebrated by all citizens of the United States, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual preference, or any other distinguishing characteristic.
Though this petition was originated in 2005 and at that time addressed to George Bush, it will be delivered to the appropriate U.S. president at the time we reach 500,000 signatures. So, to our president, thank you for taking the time to read our petition. We appreciate the time you are taking to read this and any action you take.
(Though we do appreciate the comraderie of our foreign friends, please only sign this petition if you live in the U.S. Foreign signatures will be deleted. If you are an expatriot, please note this and state where in the U.S. you are from so that your signature is not deleted. Thank you!)
Report abuse I find that holiday and Thanksgiving offensive too. Considering all that has happened.
Report abuse I'm a 24 year old female, 75% Native American, Navajo and Cherokee. It bothers me that all this time has gone by and the US Indians don't have a national holiday when there is MLK day and black history month, along with most races. But WE WERE HERE FIRST! It seems like everyone has just almost forgotton about the best race in the world...the native american!!!!
Navajo and Cherokee :)
Report abuse i find it very offensive because i am part native and i beileve that it isn't right to celebrate the geneicide of millions of natives that had never had contact with anyone from the outside world. i am taking a native studies class and i beileve that it is wrong and columbus did not discover the america's because it was already inhabited here. if they want to continue to celebrate it they can but it is proving that we can celebrate geneicides of millions of people. it woould be like celebrating the holucost and i don't think that a lot of people would like that. i know that me as only one person can not change the world but it is people like me who like to voice their opinions and want to be heard. let people think that columbus was a hero but most of us know that he isn't and i think that we should not have columbus day at all. thank you for you time.
Report abuse I do not take offense to it, but I do think it is very inappropriate. Instead the day should be used to reflect on the history of this continent's indigenous peoples. Berkely, CA celebrates indigenous people's day instead.
Report abuse Christopher Columbus was a Racist, A slave Trader, and a Murderer! Why should anyone celebrate him? This country is made up of many diffrent nationalities, we are ONE PEOPLE! And should not celebrate racisim, or anyone that is a racist!
I am a woman of Cherokee descent, I however do not have tribal affiliation at this time. I do honor all of my bloodlines and have respect for them all. The Native people of this country are the 1st Americans, and should be honored as such!
Report abuse Yes, the visit (not discovery) to the North American Continent by Columbus was the first step in the demise of the natives people. I grieve instead of celebrate every Columbus day
Ojibwe-Bad River Band-Wisconsin
Report abuse Yes
Part of my heritage is Lumbee
Report abuse It celebrates the man who did nothing but stumble upon some islands and kill lots of indigenous people.
Cherokee
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4:01 pm PDT, Oct 8,
Name not displayed, California
Report abuse I find Columbus Day extremely offensive and informative to the children of the U.S. Columbus can not discover something that people had already found. By celebrating Columbus day, we are celebrating the first terrorist. If we keep teaching our children that Columbus was the first to discover america than we should teach that he is to blame for the acts of genocide that followed for generations. The children should know the truth. There is still theories that another spanish galeon land in Ca. before any where else. I am proud to say that I am a member of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation. |
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2:43 pm PDT, Apr 25,
John Branham, Kentucky
Report abuse Would Jewish citizens find an Adolf Hitler Day offensive? Yes, it is very offensive!!! Beaver Creek Native American Tribe, The Lenape Indian Nation of North America. |
