Genocide and Chicken Nuggets

Known as Indigenous People's Day

The memory of 1492 is fading.

Thursday,I walked by Columbus Circle in Stamford, CT to get my usual order of Garden Catering (6 chicken nuggets with the spicy seasoning), because the seasoning is my weakness. As a progressive feminist, I do not celebrate Columbus Day, because his power 300 years ago, would threaten mine as a women of color.

The air was crisp, and a lady was sitting on the bench in front of the statue, eating her lunch. I didn't know her, but I was wondering what she was thinking. Did she care about the Columbus statue, or was she indifferent?

Something about the statue that sits on a world globe, made me feel disturbed when considering myself American. My friend, a Stamford resident, is Italian-American by blood but courageous and unfiltered by nature. The statue represents genocide and rape to me, but would my friend agree? I decided to have her meet me in front of the statue to conduct a brief interview to find out if we see this circle differently (my chicken nuggets would have to wait):

As a resident of Stamford how do you feel of the Columbus statue that sits in the midst of this city?

“As someone who lives here, I would never pay homage to this statue, but if it was Frank Sinatra-we would be having a different conversation”

After I stopped laughing, I asked, “Is your position on the issue influenced by your family and friends or your identity in society more?”

“I think my identity influences me most, because my family feels more connected to older Italian heroes. My friends are ethnic and so my views side with them, but as an Italian-American the issue of Columbus leaves me almost indifferent. My family and I would bring up Mussolini before Columbus.” (My best friend who remains anonymous)

The lady eating her lunch in the circle looked at peace, and I assumed her satisfaction with her sandwich was disassociated from the statue. So what really bothers me? The lack of representation. I do not feel proud standing in Columbus Circle, but if Sacajawea was erected, I would probably stop and smell the roses more. Talking to my friend, I realize she’s white and I am multi-racial, but we are bonded by our connection to our culture, identity and background-not to mention we have the same sense of humor. Instead of protesting Columbus’s treatment of native tribes, why can’t we celebrate the ones who were vital to the exploration of the West?