BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP OCTOBER 6 - OCTOBER 12, 2017 19
THE STATUES OF CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS MUST BE PROTECTED
For Italian-Americans like
myself, the explorer Christopher
Columbus is a source of pride and
a symbol of achieving the American
Dream. Honoring Columbus
is a centuries-old tradition in my
community that I will fight to
preserve.
In my campaign to
protect the five Columbus
statues in New
York City, I am fighting
for my mother, my
neighbors, my lovely
wife and children, and
many thousands of
constituents living
in my district – all
of whom are Italian
American. They
have instilled in me the veneration
of Christopher Columbus and his
symbolism for the Italian-American
people.
Having served culturally diverse
constituents in my office
for over two decades, I gained a
unique perspective on the role of
culture in our communities. Cultures
allow individuals to partake
in and benefit from a network of
resources. Culture is essential to
all communities. I firmly believe
Christopher Columbus is essential
to Italian-American culture.
When Mayor de Blasio created a
Mayoral Advisory Commission to
evaluate the impact of potentially
offensive monuments around the
city, I was outraged by his scrutiny
of Christopher Columbus
monuments.
The mayor has created an affront
against Italian-Americans
and all cultures in a way that has
not been done for generations.
Red paint was found smeared on
the hands of the Columbus statue
in Central Park. This act of aggression
may have been typical in the
1800s when anti-Italian-American
sentiments were more blatant than
what is openly expressed today.
Neither our founding fathers,
influential figures in American
history, nor Christopher Columbus
were immaculate; as humans, they
were all flawed. However, the Italian
American community does not
honor Columbus's faults but only
celebrates his accomplishments.
Discovering the New World for
Western civilization symbolizes
the hope of becoming successful
in American society at a time when
Italian-Americans suffered from
systemic discrimination.
It is time to end the
practice of erasing
figures of cultural
significance from history.
Ultimately, the
removal of monuments
and statues distracts
from issues that matter.
A more beneficial
approach is fostering
relationships
between different
communities and opening dialogue
on shared issues. Together we can
fight against concrete contemporary
concerns.
On Saturday, October 7, I will
march in the annual Brooklyn Columbus
Day Parade organized by
the Federation of Italian American
Organizations. Three years ago, I
had the honor of serving as grand
marshal of the parade.
This year, I will march alongside
one of this year’s grand marshals,
Councilmember Mark Treyger,
and Nancy Tong and Charlie Ragusa,
the 47th A.D. district leaders, in
celebrating Italian-American heritage
as epitomized by the statues
recognizing the achievements of
Christopher Columbus.
I have created an online petition
at change.org, (http://chn.
ge/2yH1wh4) as well as a petition
to be mailed to the mayor's office.
I have contacted the National
Park Service to obtain approval to
nominate the statues as National
Historic Landmarks.
I invite Italian-American leaders
and all community leaders
who are interested in preserving
our communities’ cultures to
contact my office at 718-236-1598
or email me at coltonw@nyassembly.
gov to discuss opportunities
to collaborate in the fight to protect
Columbus.
Assemblymember William Colton
represents the 47th A.D.
BK SNAP S
THE VERRAZANO BRIDGE.
Photo by Anthony Cozzolino
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BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER
WILLIAM COLTON