Courtesy of Time Magazine:
Alaska has officially renamed Columbus Day “Indigenous Peoples Day,” joining a growing body of local governments moving in that direction.
In an executive proclamation, Gov. Bill Walker wrote that “Alaska is built upon the homelands and communities of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the state would not be possible.” He pointed out that 16% of Alaskans have indigenous heritage, and that “the State opposes systematic racism toward Indigenous Peoples of Alaska or any Alaskans of any origin and promotes policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history.”
You know just yesterday I was bitching about Bill Walker trying to open ANWR for oil drilling, and then he does something awesome like this.
Hard to get a bead on that guy.
Gee not celebrating a guy who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of indigenous people, real tough call there.
I'm sure he didn't think it up or do it on his own.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/ltgov.mallott/photos/a.1531700283749376.1073741828.1525595244359880/1643602099225860/?type=3&theater
Changing the name of a holiday is nice window dressing. Pushing for more carbon increasing drilling of oil is a game changer ESP up where you live. Not gonna give this asshat a pass for something so easy, Gryphen, just not gonna do it.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone thinks this is window dressing. But let me guess, you are white amirite?
DeleteLittle Rabbit
These are my feelings, too.
DeleteThat's a little unfair, Little Rabbit. It's window dressing if he's not doing anything else for the native population but this kind of ceremonial token gestures and, meanwhile, pushing for right-wing oil-drilling policies.
DeleteNope not white by a country mile, I am pissed this asshat pulls a cute holiday renaming out of his ass to cover up his idiocy in regards to global climate change and drilling. Got anything else to say?
DeleteThis 1/16 Cherokee approves!
ReplyDeleteSorry, changing the name of a holiday that costs nothing does not make up for opening up ANWAR
ReplyDeleteI should point out that Bill Walker has absolutely NO power to open ANWR for drilling. And it will never happen.
ReplyDeleteIn other words he is only paying lip service to something that many Alaskans think they want in order to pander to a certain demographic.
So at least changing Columbus Day has some real effect, while talking about drilling in the national wildlife refuge does not.
he may not have any power to do so but he has put his stamp of approval on the action. That alone more than sinks his holiday renaming BS.
DeleteIt's about time! Now they have to stop teaching the lie that Columbus discovered America in schools.
ReplyDeleteColumbus Day should be celebrated in the same demeanor as Memorial Day with reverence and sorrow for the death and demise of indigenous people and their culture. Remembering also the incentive was plunder of resources and spread of religious servitude.
ReplyDeleteHere in Hawaii, Columbus and Captain Cook are only admired for their maritime skills.
Back in the day, it was taught in school not only that Columbus was some kind of heroic explorer, but that he actually discovered America.
ReplyDeleteSo very many years later, with the help of the internet, we now know exactly what he was - a republican.
Walker is a squirrelly little bastard in the same vein as certain GOP Presidential candidates.
ReplyDeleteTodd Palin sat in support of Walker. I don't know how anyone can trust the guy.
DeleteHow about Continent Day? Wherein we celebrate the land mass on which we live without the burden of names and labels.
ReplyDeleteHow about we just ditch the whole thing. No one "celebrates" it but the courts, post office and banks as it is.
DeleteProud for Alaska. Wish the remaining states would do the same. Plus, Columbus wasn't even the first European to discover America..
ReplyDeleteIn 1974
ReplyDeletehttp://www.salon.com/2015/10/14/libertarian_superstar_ayn_rand_defended_genocide_of_savage_native_americans/
Look up the Zimn project to see what history SHOULD be taught in schools.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this move. Columbus should not have a day.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought it absurd that Columbus has day. What he did to the Native Americans (who are my people), is deplorable.
To add to my 4:24 AM post. I am Seminole.
ReplyDelete