Spring Break
The Daily OrangeStudents protest Columbus Day, share culture on Quad
By Shayna Meliker
Posted: 10/14/08, 3:44 AM EST Section: News
Loran said he hopes Monday's protest will show that the Native American culture is still alive.
But Nate Rivera, a member of the Seneca Nation and freshman biology major, said he doesn't think protests like these will make the United States remove Columbus Day as a national holiday.
"There's a lot of ignorance still around, and a lot of racism and prejudice against any race or skin color," Rivera said. "It's experienced every day. If you tell someone you're Native American, they ask you if you live in a teepee. It's just, again, that ignorance."
Rivera said it's important that students, especially those of the Native American culture, know the true history of Columbus Day and not just what they read in school.
"Think about private property signs that are up now," Rivera said. "What if someone went on that private property? Someone would yell at them and kick them off, call the cops or something. Native Americans weren't like that. We invited (Europeans) in, and they took advantage of the kindness."
Despite what the event may or may not change, it served as an example of student activism for Marcin Zak, a freshman psychology major. The music and dancing drew him to the demonstration.
"I think, overall, it's important for students to say what they think and express their opinions," he said. "Even though sometimes you won't be able to make too much of a difference, it's important to make people aware of what you think."
shmelike@syr.edu
But Nate Rivera, a member of the Seneca Nation and freshman biology major, said he doesn't think protests like these will make the United States remove Columbus Day as a national holiday.
"There's a lot of ignorance still around, and a lot of racism and prejudice against any race or skin color," Rivera said. "It's experienced every day. If you tell someone you're Native American, they ask you if you live in a teepee. It's just, again, that ignorance."
Rivera said it's important that students, especially those of the Native American culture, know the true history of Columbus Day and not just what they read in school.
"Think about private property signs that are up now," Rivera said. "What if someone went on that private property? Someone would yell at them and kick them off, call the cops or something. Native Americans weren't like that. We invited (Europeans) in, and they took advantage of the kindness."
Despite what the event may or may not change, it served as an example of student activism for Marcin Zak, a freshman psychology major. The music and dancing drew him to the demonstration.
"I think, overall, it's important for students to say what they think and express their opinions," he said. "Even though sometimes you won't be able to make too much of a difference, it's important to make people aware of what you think."
shmelike@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 10/14/08 @ 8:01 AM EST
"This is India, and these are Indians."
And the inhabitants of America have been stupid ever since.
Reid
Reid Berdanier
posted 10/14/08 @ 9:52 AM EST
I thought this was an excellent article; I had no idea these events were occurring on campus.
I'm from South Dakota where instead of Columbus Day, the state's holiday is actually celebrated as "Native American Day" - I believe the only state to have such a title. (Continued…)
Anna
posted 10/14/08 @ 11:09 AM EST
There is a large Italian population where I live, and to them, Columbus is an icon. They use Columbus Day as an opportunity to celebrate their culture and honor him. (Continued…)
Bruce Skewes
posted 10/14/08 @ 12:50 PM EST
When Columbus arrived, he and other explorers were met by Indian cultures that, for the most part, had never ascended to the Neolithic, Bronze or Iron Ages. (Continued…)
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 10/14/08 @ 6:40 PM EST
The better question is, who was the European to think HE had a moral right to claim land that was not his?
Catherine Burke-Plumadore
posted 10/17/08 @ 5:05 PM EST
Re: "Christopher Columbus' founding of America,"
um... yes, he found the place (about 400 years after the Vikings did), but he did not found America. (Continued…)
Scott McNealus
posted 10/17/08 @ 7:28 PM EST
The history of human civilization has been one of continuous conquering and/or enslaving other cultures. It continues to this day with Muslims killing Christians because they are Christians. (Continued…)
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