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Columbus and white privilege
I say hooray to Spokane City Council for supporting Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Not surprising that two articles questioning this plan in the Aug. 28 paper were written by males of white privilege.
Jim Camden stated it would be redundant because we have one holiday in this state (has anyone heard of it?)-the day after Thanksgiving. Biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, how appropriate.
And Doug Clark wrote that Columbus “dared behave the way people behaved 500 years ago.” There is no justification for the annihilation of entire tribes. Ever. Being a man of his time, does not make it “Wright.” And George Wright? We do need to “shed the honor” of another man who slaughtered native people and change the name of Fort Wright Drive.
Perhaps it’s easy for these white males of privilege to dismiss the significance of this change. But for our children of the sun (Spokane) and the 138 tribes represented in our city, may this be the beginning of understanding and healing.
Louise Chadez
Spokane