#columbusday

Christopher Columbus (c. 1451–1506) led four transatlantic expeditions between 1492 and 1504 under the patronage of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. His goal was to find a westward maritime route to Asia’s trade centers: India, China, Japan, and the Spice Islands, but instead, he reached the Caribbean archipelago, landing on islands such as Hispaniola and Cuba. Columbus only set foot on the American mainland during his fourth and final voyage (1502–1504), exploring parts of the Central American coast.

photograph by nick dewolf https://www.flickr.com/photos/dboo/10969222953

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Happy Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, or whatever tf they call it now. ☕ • • • • •

Reconsidering Columbus Day with the Help of James Baldwin

Happy #IndigenousPeoplesDay! Today we celebrate the contributions that Natives have made to our country's history, while recognizing the persecution & discrimination that they still face on their own land. Here’s how you can celebrate: • Learn About #IndigenousCultures - Celebrate #Indigenous Peoples Day by attending community celebrations, in-person or online, organized by Natives. Listen to Native organizers to learn about the food or music & the role they play in the culture you’re observing. IPD is also a good time to learn about the tribes that live or lived where you live now. Native-land.ca is a web app that helps direct you to more resources about different Indigenous territories worldwide! • Donate To #IndigenousRights Organizations - Opening your wallet to support groups fighting for Indigenous Rights is a great way to celebrate IPD. Consider donating to the Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition, a group!who are in a battle to preserve Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, which is being threatened by the Trump administration. Or Seeding Sovereignty, an Indigenous-led collective that advocates for climate justice, informed by Indigenous practices! • Attend Vigils, Rallies, Or Marches Organized By #NativePeople - After a summer full of rallies for racial justice, keep up the momentum for Indigenous-led orgs in your area. Check out whats taking place locally & see what kind of solidarity is needed! • Support #NativeArtisans - Support #NativeAmerican creatives by buying their work & proudly displaying it. Etsy is one place to connect with Indigenous sellers! • Actively Disavow #ColumbusDay - Time for uncomfortable conversations with Karens about their FB posts. Sign petitions if your city/state doesnt recognize IPD & never hesitate to talk to non-Indigenous people about the dark history behind Columbus Day & why we should be celebrating IPD instead! Also #HappyMixedGirlMonday! ✊🏽🍂 (at United States) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQcggKFZ_m/?igshid=16qjhoz5prqm1

The second Monday of October marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This holiday acts to commemorate the histories, philosophies, and cultures of indigenous peoples. It is also a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, which continues to be a federal holiday despite its glorification of a genocidal slave trader. For many, the decision to celebrate Columbus only serves to further reinforce a violent history of colonization and sanitize the realities of Columbus’s legacy. Instead, we can take this day to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the preservation of cultural traditions. The U.S. has a long history of denying the realities of its racist and genocidal roots. Today can also be a chance to bring further awareness to this history, for, as James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”