In recent years a lot has been said about Columbus Day. A lot of people want the day to be changed to Indigenous People's Day, but there are people who use the day to celebrate where they come from; not the man who "discovered America".

Since I can remember I have been brought to the Columbus Day Parade in my hometown. My father was the President of the organization that put the parade together and has worked on the board for years. I have been in the parade once or twice as well. Every year the whole town gets together to celebrate Italian heritage and culture. There is Italian music, food, and events held all day. This is our day. Our day to celebrate being Italian, not Columbus.

People who I have met and known all my life understand what Columbus did and they know that he was in the wrong. I myself do not like Columbus. I have read what he did and I hate that a day my family looks forward to is associated with him. I wish the name would be changed to the Italian Heritage Festival instead, but that isn't up to me. But I also hate having to feel like I have to hide the fact that I celebrate this day because people associate it with the murder and rapes of innocent people. I don't want to hide my love of my heritage and I don't want to be attacked for celebrating who I am.

When people attack the day, it makes Italians feel as though our heritage is being attacked too. There isn't one day for Italians and I understand that there should also be a day for the people who inhabited the land before Columbus, but to say that the day is an insult is also insulting Italian's who have celebrated who they are on that day for years.

I think that there needs to be a day for both groups people. One that isn't insulting to the other. I also think people need to be open minded and understand that not everyone celebrates the man, but they celebrate themselves. Fighting about the day doesn't do anyone any good it just polarizes people even more. Instead people should join together and experience each others cultures.