Staff Reports
The Trump campaign is dusting off the old video archives to remind everyone about Kamala Harris and her past attempts to swap out Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In a dramatic display that rivals even the most suspenseful soap operas, Harris boldly declared, “count me in” back in her 2019 presidential run when asked about this little cultural shake-up. To the Trump campaign, this is all the evidence needed to label her as a cancellation-happy leftist hell-bent on erasing American traditions.
This resurfaced footage has sparked outrage amongst those who cling to the idea of Columbus as a pizza-loving, sea voyage pioneer. Instead, the Vice President appears to want to shine a spotlight on the darker side of history, pointing fingers at those so-called “European explorers.” According to her, they ushered in a grim era of violence and disease. As if the Founding Fathers didn’t already have enough pressure on them, they now face the added responsibility of living up to Harris’ increasingly worrisome narrative about the hurtful history of colonization.
TODAY – Kamala Harris rips Columbus Day:
“European explorers… ushered in a wave of devastation for tribal nations. Perpetrating violence, stealing land, and spreading disease.” pic.twitter.com/a3JL77ZygF
— Ben Swann (@BenSwann_) October 14, 2024
Ultimately, it is essential to remember that Columbus Day remains officially recognized as a federal holiday. So, while Harris and her ilk attempt to rewrite history with the finesse of a toddler at a finger painting class, millions of Americans will continue their yearly pizza parties in honor of the explorer. Nevertheless, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt took it upon herself to expose Harris’ leftist agenda. She claimed Harris represents the archetypal liberal who wants to cancel everything under the sun, including Columbus Day, while promoting tax hikes and calls to defund the police.
The hyper-focus on cancel culture is part of a broader trend where some politicians appear determined to vilify America’s past. While most of the country moves on, engaged in their everyday lives, the left seems to relish tearing down monuments and traditions, thinking it will somehow fix centuries of injustice. In reality, what is needed is a hard dose of historic perspective. The indigenous peoples had their own tribal wars and land conflicts long before Columbus set sail, and drawing a simplistic line of oppressor and oppressed overlooks centuries of complex history.
Western civilization, through the lens of American exceptionalism, was built on principles that aimed to treat all individuals with equality. It is precisely this foundational attribute that has led to progress and prosperity unmatched in history. The essence of the American Dream stems from that opportunity for all, regardless of their ethnic background. So while Harris seeks to shadow colonial pasts through a lens of victimhood, the reality of history remains more nuanced — a history in which explorers paved the way for the United States to emerge as the greatest force for good the world has ever seen.
As the voices of history echo through the halls of our institutions, a battle takes shape — one between a truth grounded in facts and an emotional narrative bent on dividing the nation. It is clear that Harris, and many of her cohorts, have undergone a painful transformation into purveyors of guilt, seemingly hell-bent on framing history as a perpetual struggle. The response should be loud and clear: America’s past, both good and bad, cannot be erased like chalk off a blackboard. Instead, it should be acknowledged for what it is — a stepping stone to a greater future.
