Abolish Columbus Day

The Columbus Day holiday should be abolished!  There is documented evidence that Columbus worked Natives to death. He butchered those who failed to meet their quota of gold and murdered and enslaved many others.  If the holiday and parades are showcases that represent the best of Italy and the best of the Italian-American community, than a murderous Italian should not be the celebrated honoree.  Italians have better candidates to represent their rich and proud heritage.  Consequently, this controversial holiday should be abolished or renamed Italian-American Heritage Day.  In the meantime, teachers, historians, and conscientious individuals should debunk the myths of this lost navigator who "discovered" America and who never set foot on the shores of the U.S.   More importantly, not until the intrinsic rights of Indigenous peoples here on their own sacred land is recognized, can we be considered a truly democratic or civilized nation!