Most people can recall the memorable childhood song taught in elementary school about the man who is celebrated every year on Oct. 12th which began with: “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492”. However, what if this man did not exactly discover the new world? What if there was more to discuss about this holiday than the everyday American seems to forget in thanks to a day off? Students and professors alike gathered in dozens in City College’s Multicultural Center of City College on Oct.12th... maurco89 Jim Knapp 2009-10-29T11:54:17Z 2009-10-29T11:54:17Z

I do, of those options, simply running away to another country is not one I would support. Unfortunately, this is the solution we have freely offered those who live South of our border. Why should they fight and die for their own country when we will give them our country for free, and without a fight? We should have used the CIA and our military to overthrow the corrupt robber baron La Raza governments. After all we had no problem overthrowing governments to stop the expansion of communism in Central America.

Jim Knapp 2009-10-29T11:54:17Z William Burg 2009-10-29T06:27:03Z 2009-10-29T06:27:03Z

It sounds like you think some oppressed people should consider other options.

William Burg 2009-10-29T06:27:03Z Jim Knapp 2009-10-29T00:13:55Z 2009-10-29T00:13:55Z

Try reading my post again William...I was not protesting Columbus Day... In fact quite the opposite, was just pointing out the motivations of those who do want to get rid of Columbus day. And BTW I also supported the IRA, I am in fact a supporter of armed revolt when the binds of government become to tight...At times it is the only option an oppressed people can take..after all voting doesn't work.

Jim Knapp 2009-10-29T00:13:55Z William Burg 2009-10-28T16:05:47Z 2009-10-28T16:05:47Z

I don't get it, Jim...do you protest St. Patrick's Day because some Irish organizations support the IRA?

William Burg 2009-10-28T16:05:47Z Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-28T06:19:26Z 2009-10-28T06:19:26Z

"Attacking Columbus is always code for attacking White/Europeans"-- I did not know about this "code" Also I don't think people were made to feel guilty for something THEY did not personally do. My goodness, I can't and don't blame an entire culture living today or in the past for slavery. I think it's good people were able to have the discussion-- a guilt free discussion-- and a discussion apparently valued by those who participated and my guess is their were people of different ethnic backgrounds. My guess is their were people in attendance of " White/Europeans" ancestory who did not feel guilty. That's like saying all people of " White/Europeans" only had slaves. When blacks had slaves.... That's like saying all people of " White/Europeans " ancestory condone slavery when their were many who fought against slavery and participated in underground railroads.... that's like saying all " White/Europeans " condoned prejudice, racial discrimination when Freedom fighters who were white died, burned, killed for fighting racism...I don't think having the discussion is an attempt to make a people feel guilty it could be a way of opening a discussion to disarm guilt that some may feel when you generalize a culture........ Surely their were people in the discussion who were white who didn't and shouldn't feel guilty for the actions of one man. Personally I have nothing against columbus day but I have something against a "code" which generalizes.

Rhonda Erwin 2009-10-28T06:19:26Z trapper 2009-10-27T19:26:51Z 2009-10-27T19:26:51Z

You hit the nail on the head Jim. Revisionist of history like Riad Bahur who is a soft spoken Professor has a knack for sending any discussion on America in a negative direction .

trapper 2009-10-27T19:26:51Z Jim Knapp 2009-10-27T07:15:07Z 2009-10-27T07:15:07Z

Attacking Columbus is always code for attacking White/Europeans for building our once great nation. Those that want to get rid of Columbus Day, want Americans to feel guilty for being American. If anything, Columbus Day should only be celebrated by Hispanic countries South of the American border. Somehow, and almost entirely incorrectly, he became the personae of the building of America. Dear professors of revisionist history: Columbus led the settlement of Central and South America, which led the Spanish to conquer the lands of the indigenous people - The Spaniards raped, plundered and murdered the indigenous population and bred like rats. Eventually displacing most of the indigenous people. Mexico was STOLEN by brutal force (manifest destiny) from the indigenous people, by the spawn of the plundering Spaniards and so was "Atzlan" otherwise known as the Southern United States. Also, contrary to what feel good liberals want to believe, Mexico and most other "hispanic" countries are extremely ethnocentric, they are openly racist, and heavily discriminate against the indigenous population. Is that also Columbus fault? At least in the US we felt some guilt about what the settlers did to the Indians, we gave them millions of acres of land and reservations. Since the 1800's we have spent hundreds of billions of dollars. Indians in America get free health care, free housing, free education (all the way through college) and they get to build casino's where they bring in BILLIONS of dollars - and all for something that happened 130-400 years ago. What has Mexico done for the indigenous population? The openly discriminate against them in jobs and housing and force them to come illegally to the United States. I am sick and tired of revisionist history from liberals always trying to make Americans feel guilty about something.

Jim Knapp 2009-10-27T07:15:07Z