Only two Americans in history have a federal holiday named after them: Martin Luther King Jr. and Christopher Columbus. While the federal government still acknowledges George Washington’s birthday, the holiday has become more commonly known as Presidents’ Day. The celebration no longer occurs on Washington’s birthday and is generally considered to be a celebration of all presidents past and present.
Let us recall that the Native Americans inhabited the land before Columbus and were prospering in their own ways. Even people who overwhelmingly support Columbus cannot deny the unacceptable behavior with which he repaid the Native American’s warm welcome.
Although many national icons have made mistakes that should not cloud their accomplishments, a nation’s value is often reflected by who it chooses to celebrate. Thanks for the day off of work for some of us Chris, but I would rather not celebrate your stroke of good fortune after getting lost at sea. Instead of Columbus Day, perhaps we should celebrate…
1. Indigenous People’s Day: This is a holiday that celebrates the Indigenous People of North America. This is already celebrated in some parts of the United States and commemorates Native American history and culture. This shift in consciousness acknowledges the voices of indigenous people and attempts to underscore the suffering that they endured.
2. Immigrants Day: As a nation of immigrants, we must pay our respects to immigrants. This would be an important American holiday because everyone who is not Native American is an immigrant. We all bring our unique backgrounds, perspectives and culture to comprise what is America today. @Donald Trump, America is already great and it is entirely because of the people who you openly hate on.
3. Women’s Appreciation Day: Women are amazing. There is no arguing this fact. On this day, we should appreciate the struggles of those who identify as women everywhere. We should appreciate the brilliance and poise of women. We should treat all women with the respect and love that they deserve, and hopefully this mindset will begin to transfer to every other day of the year.
4. Day of People with Disabilities: The theme of this day should be acknowledgment and appreciation for those with disabilities. Too often, their struggles are overlooked and undervalued. The nation must work to be cognizant and inclusive of the needs and barriers of those with disabilities.
5. Mental Health Awareness Day: Mental health comprises our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Medicine has not advanced enough to be completely effective against many mental health issues. Everyone deserves to have a peaceful mind and greater quality of life. The stigmas surrounding mental health issues are disheartening and unacceptable. This day should be dedicated to those struggling with mental health.
6. Pride: LGBTQ+ communities deserve all the love and support. This federal holiday should represent the past, present and future struggles for equality. We should offer support as members of the community or as allies. We should also use this day to take pride in the people we are and work to love the nonconforming, diverse identities that we defend. This short list of groups of people who deserve federal holidays more than Christopher Columbus is far from all-inclusive; however, I wholeheartedly believe that these days would be reminders of what is truly important. Instead of glorifying a man who is far from deserving of such veneration, we should place value in the people who continue to uphold this country. While we could also celebrate other treasured American heroes such as Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, Clara Barton, Muhammad Ali, Harriet Tubman, Bill Gates and Michelle Obama, I believe that federal holidays should be all-encompassing. I believe in the power of celebrating people for their struggles and vitality to society.