Providence mayor objects to Brown 'Columbus Day' ditch
7:00 PM Thu, Apr 09, 2009 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Mayor David N. Cicilline on Thursday said he objected to Brown University's decision not to honor Columbus Day because it diminished the accomplishments of explorer Christopher Columbus, an important historical figure for Italian-Americans. The university faculty voted Tuesday to drop any reference in the school's academic calendar to "Columbus Day" after a student group urged the change. Brown will now celebrate "Fall Weekend" during the traditional Columbus Day holiday.
"The decision to simply erase the celebration of an incredibly significant moment in world history and Italian-American culture for the sake of political correctness does just the opposite. As an Italian-American, I take particular offense to this decision," Cicilline said in a statement. Columbus was the Italian explorer whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 13th and early 14th century led to widespread awareness of the American continents in Europe. His first voyage to the Americas, under the banner of Spain, was in 1492. Columbus Day is a federal holiday that has been celebrated on Oct. 12 in the United States since 1905. Other Latin American countries also recognize the holiday but with different names. Not all U.S. states and cities recognize the holiday; Rhode Island does. 
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It is notable that the students were in a mood to chnage the name of the holiday, but do not seem to mention eliminating the holiday.
The best evidence seems to be that the Indians gave us syphilis, so maybe it all evened out.
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The mayor says he objects to the brown U decision over columbus day, siting an insult to italian americans.....and yet just sits on his hands while the govener openly takes a stance on the same sex marriage issue which btw is ridiculous to begin with. I find it hillarious how the RI governemt claims they have to find a way to deal with the budget and then the Gov spends money on an issue like same sex marriage, in this current global economy and situation an issue of same sex marriage is trivial. I support same sex marriage myself, but with all thats going on in the world is a matter of columbus day and two people in love being maried really where our state government should be getting all fired up.
How about the govener and mayor start paying attention to real issues for a change, like taking some of that waster time, energy and money for dinners and expenses on commercials and perhaps helping the people in the state.....ya know as if it were theyre JOB!
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What's next Winter Week, and not Christmas?
Coumbus Day has traditional been a celebration of Italian-American Culture.
Why should the faculty at Brown care about the Italian-Americans....when they are ashamed and embarassed to be AMERICANS period !!!
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The man was a slave trader. To me, that diminishes any accomplishments he may have made. He certainly does not deserve a holiday. And just to remind all of you insulted Italian-Americans Columbus sailed for Spain when he showed up here in 1492.
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Who cares what the mayor thinks anyway? He is such a wimp!
Everyone that is offended should make sure they spend no money at any Brown activity. Don't go to Brown sports events, don't buy any products from any Brown campus store, choose a doctor that didn't go to Brown...don't support Brown in ANY fashion. Money will get their attention, not words! Brown doesn't give a damn what people say or write!
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You don't have to go far to find wrong doing. Look at the history of slave trade of the family your University is associated with. You chose to go to Brown didn't you ?
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Oh for crying out loud. What difference does it make since this all happened in the 1400's!! Isn't there enough current stuff going on for everyone to focus on?
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The mayor can get on a boat and go back from where his family comes from and leave MY people here in our land in peace.
What a joke. Party on Dave.
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I believe down here in North Carolina they think that Robert E. Lee discovered America - because it is not mentioned and there is definitely no holiday!! As far as RI - I find it interesting that some students "objected" and they listened - I sound old but I remember a time when traditions and history were respected - not always questioned and banned. We are going to become one big, bland, politically correct, non-sectarian country soon - and what a sad day that will be.
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