Why I No Longer Celebrate Columbus Day (originally posted on facebook 10/16/2013)

Here is why I cannot in good conscience celebrate Columbus day. I have always believed that no one has to feel guilty for what their ancestors did, or for who their ancestors were. But you should feel shame if you try to hide the reality of who they were and what they did or if you remain willfully ignorant and believe idealized versions of history. 

I also wholeheartedly disagree that we cannot judge historical figures by modern standards, because it is our own hubris that makes us think we are more moral and knowledgeable than those who came before us and that we invented these standards. What surprises me whenever I look back at history is that there were always, and I mean always, voices that protested oppression, enslavement, genocide and all manner of inequality. But, as is the case in modern times, power does as it pleases, and privilege will always try to perpetuate itself. 

Unspeakable horrors always live side by side with acts of profound humanity. That is why this article speaks to me, because it illustrates how one man's greed caused him to commit barbaric acts and how another man had a come to Jesus moment and found his humanity. Whether it was, or is, slavery, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia or racism, in every time there were people who knew it was wrong. 

There will always be voices who are speaking truths that power and privilege do not want to hear, but that is not the same as ignorance and not knowing better. When people are confronted by their ignorance they either react with disbelief or curiosity. However, when people are confronted by their power or privilege, especially that they feel is legitimate, they respond with anger and violence. I believe that the people who have made the most meaningful changes in the world are those who have recognized their privilege, and its power, and used it in service of humanity. 

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/columbus_day