Italian American Official: Replace Columbus Day

In a Columbus Day statement, National Italian American Foundation President John M. Viola has proposed that communities no longer wishing to celebrate Columbus Day replace it with Italian American Heritage Day.

Responding to calls to substitute a new Indigenous Peoples Day for the federal government holiday, Viola (who appears to be at work) writes: “Certainly the rest of our nation should seek greater awareness of the numerous tribes dealing with issues that the average American citizen doesn’t face. But in the battle for Columbus’s legacy, we Italian Americans run the risk of becoming collateral damage in a struggle that has unfortunately pitted two communities against each other.”

Viola points out that Columbus Day has become, rather than a tribute to the controversial navigator, a celebration of Italian American cultural heritage. He concludes:

“If Columbus Day must go, let it be replaced by Italian American Heritage Day and let’s work together to find an alternative time of the year for Indigenous Peoples Day, so that we can celebrate (and for most of us learn) the history of the first peoples of this incomparable nation that has welcomed so many cultures to its shores in search of a better life.”

The D.C.-based National Italian American Foundation represents the nearly 25 million Americans of Italian descent. The foundation will host its 41st annual gala weekend Oct. 14-16. For details, visit [niaf.org](http://www.niaf.org).