By Lee Longhorn

Happy Columbus Day! I see on Facebook that people are against the celebration of Columbus Day. Before we begin, I must tell you that according to Strengthquest, one of my strengths is positivity. I like looking at the glass as half full.

I read some background on Columbus and saw excerpts from the movie “1492” when I took at American Indian history course. I definitely agree that he didn’t make some wise career choices. He definitely ruined entire populations. I’m not against either the celebration or non-celebration of Columbus. If anything, I’m only mad that I don’t get a day off work when some businesses do.

“Attacking the source”

When I was a freshman, I was at a dinner and we each talked about what super power we would want. One person came forward and said, “If I could go back in time. I would go back and kill Christopher Columbus.” That’s a pretty big power. Another person I once heard remarked how they would stop Christopher Columbus from discovering the new world. This last remark interests me.

“Christopher Columbus helped create me.”

Ok, so let’s start from where we are now. My parents met in the 1970’s. My grandparents met in the 1940’s. My great-grandparents met sometime before that. My great-great grandparents met before that. So continues the cycle. If Columbus hadn’t discovered America and created the whole chain of events, maybe none of us would be who we are. Let’s stop waddling in pity and embrace who we are and where we’re going, not where we came from.

“Celebrate life”

This Columbus Day, let’s celebrate that we’re alive. None of this negativity about how many American Indians have died or what not. Instead, let’s celebrate that YOU are still here. Go out and do something chivalrous. Chivalry is something that is dying. Let’s bring it back. Act like you discovered that. You discovered the kindness in your everyday life to bring. Help someone overcome adversity. Do whatever it is to make this day and everyday special.

Why? Without Columbus, I wouldn’t be who I am.

Lee Longhorn is a reporter for the Muscogee Nation News