Try new traditions to mark Columbus Day

Happy Columbus Day! Columbus Day is one of the least celebrated federal holidays in America, according to the Pew Research Center. Perhaps this is because there is no candy associated with it. If there were little chocolates shaped like the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, it might create more interest.
Then there is the fact that Chris didn’t ever make it to the mainland, the fact that there were already thriving civilizations in America before he even set sail and that the arrival of all the people who followed Chris decimated those thriving civilizations, and celebrating the arrival of Columbus loses much of its appeal.
Still, you and I and many, if not most, of the people we know would not be here today if not for Chris. Therefore, I propose several new traditions for this day.
First, let’s live up to the image we have of ourselves as a country. How about if we reacquaint ourselves with that plaque on the Statue of Liberty. It reads in part, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
It doesn’t differentiate between one religion, one set of beliefs, one color or anything else. That statue is a symbol of hope, a new chance to create a new life. Perhaps, a little mercy towards the oppressed would be a good way to celebrate Columbus Day.
While we’re at it, why don’t we live up to our belief that everybody is created equal? For one day, just one, could we actually treat everybody with respect and common courtesy? For one day, refrain from mocking those who are different. For one day, could we act as if our mothers and our children were listening to the every word we say? If we would not want our moms or children to hear us, could we refrain from saying things we shouldn’t say?
For one day, could we treat poor people the same as we treat rich ones? Would it kill us, as a country, to give the same breaks to poor, inner city kids as we do the wealthy white ones? Would it hurt us so much to be polite to people who are obviously down on their luck?
We tell ourselves that we live in the best country in the world. Let’s treat this land as if it really is the best. No throwing trash all over the place. No cigarette butts piled in my yard. Oops. I didn’t mean to get personal except butts are a pet peeve of mine.
Let’s do what we can to preserve the beauty of this great land of ours. We don’t have to destroy every single bit of virgin land. We don’t have to poison every single weed, and all the butterflies, birds and other critters who feed on those so-called weeds. We don’t have to consume, consume, consume and produce tons of waste as a by-product of all that consuming.
But, I’m a realist. None of the above will ever happen. Instead, we will celebrate Columbus Day like we always do. We will shop for Halloween candy and delight in finding a new favorite. We will begin amassing Christmas presents for our loved ones. We, and especially me, will celebrate by transferring the houseplants from outside to inside the house. We, and especially me, will celebrate by planting whatever new plants we have acquired. We will go about our business with barely a recognition that today is a holiday.
Happy Columbus Day. Even if you think it is high time that Columbus Day disappears into the ether, I hope your day is a good one. Celebrate, or not. It is up to you.