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Transcript/ScriptCOLUMBUS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY NYC - TV HEADLINE: US Columbus Day Celebration Still Viewed by Many as Divisive TEASER: PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 10/10/2023 at 00:01 EDT BYLINE: Johny Fernandez CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: New York VIDEOGRAPHER: Johny Fernandez PRODUCER: Barry Unger ASSIGNING EDITOR: Tsikhanenka SCRIPT EDITORS: Tsikhanenka, Young VIDEO SOURCES: VOA PLATFORMS: WEB__TV_X__RADIO_X TRT: 2:36 VID APPROVED BY: pcd TYPE: TVPKG UPDATE: ))
((INTRO)) [[Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day - celebrated on the second Monday in October - is one of the most controversial U.S. holidays. It has multiple names and Americans have mixed reactions when asked about its meaning. Johny Fernandez has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
In recent years, the debate over how America commemorates one aspect of its history has intensified, centering on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day.
[[NAT SOUND FROM COLUMBUS DAY PARADE]]
Two groups at the center of the debate are Italian Americans and Native Americans.
Joseph Depaola is the Vice President of the New York City Fire Department’s Columbia Association. He is proud of his Italian heritage.
[[Radio track: Joseph Depaola is the Vice President of the New York City Fire Department’s Columbia Association. He is proud of his Italian heritage]].
((Joseph Depaola, FDNY Columbia Association))
“The FDNY Columbia association was organized in 1934. It was organized to try and help Italian immigrants celebrate being in the fire department and help Italian immigrants that didn’t speak English to learn fire safety.”
((NARRATOR))
Columbus Day was created in 1892 as a response to the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans. Later, it became the day that recognizes the Italian American heritage.
But for many Native Americans, the US the holiday symbolizes enslavement and violent rule that followed Columbus’s arrival.
Joseph acknowledges the conflict Columbus Day brings but believes there is a solution.
[[Radio track: Joseph Depaola again]]
((Joseph Depaola, FDNY Columbia association))
“I don’t think it’s there’s anything wrong with it. I just don’t think they should get rid of Columbus Day. I think we can have a simultaneously parade for the indigenous people and for Columbus Day. There’s definitely an overlap that can happen if they want to do it on the same day, I think that’s great.”
((NARRATOR))
In the meantime, some Native Americans call for the holiday’s abolition or reevaluation. As a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, in the early 1980s, they started celebrating their own holiday, Indigenous Peoples' Day.
[[Radio track: Cliff Matias is the cultural director at the Redhawk Indigenous Arts Council in Brooklyn]].
((Cliff Matias, Redhawk Council))
“If you’re an American, then it’s important for you to know about who indigenous people are because indigenous people created the foundation of this country.”
((NARRATOR))
On the days leading up to Indigenous Peoples' Day, Brooklyn nonprofit Redhawk Indigenous Arts Council, holds an annual festival on New York's Randall's Island. Its mission is to teach the general public about Native American heritage.
[[Radio track: Cliff Matias again]].
((Cliff Matias, Redhawk Council))
“It’s a day of resistance. It reminds of that we’ve survived 532 years, and we’re still here, as indigenous people, our culture, our language and we’re still celebrating.”
((NARRATOR))
When asked about Columbus Day, some say it is not just about the past, but also about how we shape our collective memory today moving forward.
((Johny Fernandez, VOA News, New York))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
New YorK
Embargo DateOctober 9, 2023 23:49 EDT
Byline
Johny Fernandez, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
