Happy Invasion Day

One of our family friends has given today's holiday the moniker above. I heard it called Columbus Day/Indigenous Day yesterday. The one thing I know for sure about this day is that Bill doesn't have to go to work and we won't get mail. He's downstairs tending to something, and we've got a list of items to do outside today. The other thing I know is that I don't feel quite as eager to put my flag out on Columbus Day as I do on most other National holidays.

I don't mind honoring the Presidents, most of them anyway. I think it's pretty important to take at least two minutes while pigging out on Labor Day to think about all our American workers and what many of them try to do to keep this country strong and to stay employed. I like Thanksgiving for the food and the gratitude. As for Christmas, what's one allowed to say these days rather than "Happy Holidays!"

And, on Memorial Day, I will always honor the memories of those who've gone before us as well as the sacrifice and memory of those who've given their lives for our country at the beck and call of those Presidents who have their day. The Fourth of July is nice because it's noisy, the parade is fun, and I do feel proud and fortunate to live in this country. As for Martin Luther King, it's pretty clear to me why he and his achievements should be honored.

Somehow, though, I just don't quite get the real importance of Columbus Day. I did when I was a little kid and the teachers taught us over and over about Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492, but I never really connected with the guy. And, some people will tell you that he didn't do a lot to get this country on its feet. I even heard once that he was busy sailing somewhere else when he came through the area.

I can understand why some would prefer to think about and honor the indigenous folks instead of Columbus. After all, they were just minding their business and got invaded.

We should understand that concept clearly here in North Idaho---us indigenous poor white folk who've been invaded by all those money-hungry land grabbers with their gated mentality. Well, we aren't exactly indigenous, but we think we are cuz we were here first. Well, we were here before they were, and they shouldn't have come in here to upset our apple cart.

We also know that there were a lot of folks here long before us poor white folk invaded the West, and our ancestors kinda upset their apple carts---big time, actually. Just like Columbus did when he sailed the ocean blue. So, we're having a holiday to honor his exploring and exploiting. Doesn't that remind you of something: I came across that bridge and saw all those possibilities for for development.

Back to the holiday. Why don't we have a holiday to honor the Native Americans instead of Columbus? There were a lot of his type who sailed the ocean blue, and we don't pick them out to fawn over. The Native Americans have sacrificed a heckuva lot more for this country than Columbus ever did. Plus, to have a day to learn about and reflect on their traditions and culture would be pretty darned neat, I think.

If they do that, I'll happily put the flag out and eat frybread that day because somehow I've gained a lot more respect for their need to be honored than that guy Columbus.

Happy Invasion Day!