"President Joe Biden's proclamation of Columbus Day acknowledges Native Americans' "painful past," in stark contrast to the proclamations made by the former president Donald Trump, warning of "extremists" who seek for "undermine Christopher Columbus's history."
Every year, President Obama declares the second Monday in the month of October to be Columbus Day. Much like Trump Biden's proclamation on Friday, Biden focused on Columbus' explorations and also recognized Italian Americans, many of who derive more significance in Columbus Day and consider the exploration of Columbus to be an integral part of their culture.
However, Biden also called on Americans to reflect "on the strength and dignity of Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and the work in front of us to fulfill the nation's promise for everyone."
"It is an indication of our excellence as a nation that we don't try to forget these shaming events from our past. It is important and that we face them openly and bring them to the light, and then we take every step to confront the issues," Biden said. "For Native Americans, western exploration brought a wave of destruction: violence committed against Native communities displacement and destruction of Tribal homelands in the spreading of diseases and much more."
Trump didn't mention Native tribes In his any one of the Columbus Day announcements. In 2020, Trump used the announcement to denigrate "radical militants" of subverting Columbus the legacy of Columbus and "seek[ingto crush any discord from their religious orthodoxy."
"These extremists are seeking to replace the discussion of his immense contribution with the discussion of his failings or his findings with atrocities and his accomplishments by pointing out transgressions," Trump said, referencing the increasing calls from groups to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day to honor the genocide, displacement , and violence against Native peoples brought about by Columbus and the people who were influenced by him. "Rather to learn from our past the extremist ideology, and it's followers want to change the past, deprive it of its glory and label it fundamentally evil."
In addition, Trump's proclamation for 2020 mentioned the executive order that he issued in the year 2000 to safeguard monuments and memorials amidst discussions and protests about taking down statues of racists.
Biden also released a proclamation, on Friday, proclaiming Oct. 11 as Indigenous Peoples Day. Find Biden's complete proclamation on Columbus Day here.
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