A Meditation on Columbus Day

F LoBuono

Much like the man it commemorates, Columbus Day is full of contradictions. It is both a source of pride and a subject of ridicule. Italian-Americans see it as a time to celebrate one of their most important native sons. Native Americans view the day with scorn, claiming Columbus was nothing more than a violent usurper. Well, both groups are partially correct.

First, the Italian-Americans: Columbus WAS Italian, more than likely born in Genoa. Certainly, having one of the world's greatest explorers be born on your shores is indeed a source of pride. However, Italian-Americans should take note that Columbus NEVER sailed under an Italian flag - because there was none. There was NO Italy at the time. It was not a unified country but, rather, a series of "City-States". Columbus sailed under the SPANISH flag (the most powerful country in the world at that time). He spoke Spanish. His sons were given Spanish names. When he returned from his voyages he returned to Spain where he lived, died, and was buried. So, for all intent and purpose, Columbus was more Spanish than Italian. If you have ever wondered why most of the Western Hemisphere speaks Spanish and NOT Italian, now you know!

Next, the Native Americans: They have a legitimate beef. Columbus ravaged native populations, both accidentally (by spreading European diseases) and willfully (by slaughtering and enslaving them). This has been documented. Because of this, Native Americans are outraged what we would honor such a man. However, what must be taken into consideration is that it is difficult to judge a 15th Century man by 21st Century ethics. Although there were some enlightened men like Giordano Bruno, most powerful men, especially ambitious ones like Columbus, followed a much more brutal path.

I guess in many ways, this makes Columbus Day the perfect American Holiday - like the country it celebrates, the day has reasons to be both proud AND reflective - for where we came from and how far we still have to go. . .