"We hold these truth to be self evident, that all men are created EQUAL"…It is amazing to me that these are the words that ring true when talking about America. However, the Natives were not given these same words and certainly not the same treatment. The peoples, many different tribes, were bullied, moved, stolen from and killed in many cases.
In today's America, in some cases, we are starting to recognize other groups for their bravery and giving them the rights they so richly deserve. Yet, in our celebrations of different events in society, we have yet to find a way to celebrate the Natives who were here first and completely ignored of their rights.
I'm not terribly good at expressing myself with words when it comes to social aspects, but I believe this is something we should take a stand on. I say, we change Columbus Day, a day that recognizes a cowardice thief, rapist and killer, to a day that commemorates the Natives of this Nation. We celebrate many different peoples and events in our History…Why not celebrate the people who were here first? The people who taught us how to work the soil for food. The people who opened their arms and wanted to know more about us…The FIRST people of America.
This has already happened in Seattle…We here in Wilmington have a chance to be at the doorstep of something special…From Cherokee to Navajo to Mohawk, let's give a beautiful celebration to our TRUE forefathers.
Dear Mr. Mayor,
We are bring this petition to you in hopes that you and the city council will do the right thing. For so many of our holidays, we celebrate simple to take the day off of work. This is an opportunity to celebrate a people who have a great meaning to our country and have been forgotten over time. The current holiday celebrates a man of no integrity, who pillaged and murder his way in to the history books. We believe it is time to take his holiday from him and give it back to the people he abused. The people of this country...Our TRUE forefathers, The Native Americans.
I hope you will not only consider this, but, follow the example of Seattle and give back to our Natives...This is an opportunity to celebrate a beautiful people and create a festival of a grand scale.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor
J.R. Rodriguez
