Let’s Celebrate Columbus Day!

by Getty Images

At least 33 Christopher Columbus statues have been removed across the country this past spring and summer. The cancel culture has run amok and needs to be cancelled. Christopher Columbus is a hero and should be celebrated, but, by diminishing and smearing his achievement, the “woke” not only devalue our history but devalue the achievements of immigrants past, present and future.

Generations of Americans came here seeking a better life. My own family fled religious and political persecution to come to the United States from the Soviet Union when I was 10. We chose the United States because we knew what had been created. Christopher Columbus’ bravery and intelligence created what we now know. When you cancel Christopher Columbus, you cancel all of us.

Here, in Philadelphia, the “Art Commission” issued an order to have our statue removed. It was a gift to the City of Brotherly love from the Italian government intended to celebrate the bond, culture and achievements of Italian Americans. We can not let a small group of individuals dictate to us what we believe or celebrate. Don’t let them diminish or divide us. Celebrate Columbus Day! Celebrate our ancestors who overcame enormous risk to be here.