Today is Columbus Day, but not for Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.
Barry issued a proclamation urging recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The proclamation is similar to the non-binding resolution passed by Metro Council last week.
“Today we reflect upon the historic and ongoing struggles of Indigenous Peoples while celebrating their culture and value to our society,” she said in a tweet early Monday that included a copy of her proclamation, signed Oct. 1.
Barry made no mention of Christopher Columbus.
Columbus Day has become increasingly controversial in recent years, and today more than 50 cities and a few states have instead been celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The states are Minnesota, Vermont and Alaska.
A progressive Democrat, Barry said in her proclamation that “Nashville has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises.”
The proclamation ends by saying, “The City encourages all individuals to observe this important day and reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Peoples on this land, and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that Indigenous Peoples add to our City.”
President Trump, by contrast, honored Columbus in his Columbus Day proclamation. He said:
Five hundred and twenty-five years ago, Christopher Columbus completed an ambitious and daring voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. The voyage was a remarkable and then-unparalleled feat that helped launch the age of exploration and discovery. The permanent arrival of Europeans to the Americas was a transformative event that undeniably and fundamentally changed the course of human history and set the stage for the development of our great Nation. Therefore, on Columbus Day, we honor the skilled navigator and man of faith, whose courageous feat brought together continents and has inspired countless others to pursue their dreams and convictions — even in the face of extreme doubt and tremendous adversity.
She leads a city going to the dogs (no intent to insult canines) and has time to promote garbage like this. If she is so concerned about Indians then why isn’t she on a reservation someplace lending them a hand instead of grandstanding in Nashville. Squirrels inhabited this country before the Indians. So why don’t we just celebrate Squirrel Day and get on with life?
Why is it that every sub group in America, EXCEP those of European descent (such as rural Appalachian whites) which experience “high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises.” are ALWAYS blamed on “systematic racism”?? When European descendents experience “high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises” , it’s some OTHER reason that just CANNOT explain non white conditions, which necessarily MUST be racism.