Columbus as supremacist? Some with Italian roots reject him

[Judi Lynn]

Steve Leblanc, Associated Press
Updated 6:56 am CDT, Wednesday, June 17, 2020



Photo: Steven Senne, AP
A passer-by walks near a damaged Christopher Columbus statue, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in a waterfront park near the city's traditionally Italian North End neighborhood, in Boston. The statue was found beheaded Wednesday morning, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said.


BOSTON (AP) — Generations of Italian Americans embraced Christopher Columbus with little thought to the dark side of his legacy. But as the nation grapples with racial injustice, that ship may have sailed.

Now, some Italian Americans in Massachusetts are publicly casting the explorer as a symbol of white supremacy who touched off centuries of European oppression and the decimation of indigenous peoples.

It’s time, they say, to permanently ditch a statue of Columbus near Boston's historic North End neighborhood which was recently vandalized and temporarily removed from its pedestal by the city.

“There has always been the feeling that Italian Americans all feel the same way about Columbus,” said Heather Leavell, 46, of Bedford, one of the founders of the group Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples' Day.

More:
https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Columbus-as-supremacist-Some-with-Italian-roots-15345916.php

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Interestingly, decades ago, Spain wanted to garner research that Columbus was Jewish.

Because if he were Jewish, then SPAIN could claim him as the one who "discovered America."

Their rationale: Columbus would have been dispelled by way of the Spanish Inquisition/Torquenada and King Ferdinand/Queen Isabella in 1492 where by they ordered 1/3 of the Jews to be executed, 1/3 of the Jews to convert to Catholicism, and 1/3 to be deported.

Of course, there is much documentation that Christopher Columbus hailed from Genoa, Italy and nothing much more was developed after the plea for scholars to change Columbus' country of origin.

[Bucky]

2. I think the Knights of Columbus should change their name to the Knights of Columbo

... and dedicate their organization to celebrating the wonderful career of Peter Falk.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Took a shot, wondered if someone created a statue of Colombo, maybe in Hollywood, after your post,

WaaaLAH!

Columbo Statue
Budapest, Hungary
Uh, pardon me, ma'am, but I couldn't help noticing that there's a Columbo statue in the middle of Budapest.

THANKS TO A TENUOUS FAMILIAL connection, Budapest’s Falk Miksa Street is now home to a life-size bronze reproduction of Peter Falk as America’s favorite soft-spoken detective in the rumpled coat, Columbo.

Installed in 2014 at an estimated cost of $63,000, the bronze lieutenant was part of an overall rejuvenation project in the area, although exactly why the figure was chosen is a bit of a mystery. According to organizers, actor Peter Falk may have been related to the 19th-century Hungarian political figure, Miksa Falk, after whom the street is named, although they also admit that this connection has yet to be proven. The American Falk is known to have had Hungarian roots on one side of his family, although it has never been linked to Miksa Falk’s family. Some have also questioned the timing of the statue’s installation given that Peter Falk passed away in 2011, meaning that it is unlikely to commemorate his passing either. Many believe that it was unveiled in time to garner votes in an upcoming election, although this seems to be a strange way to go about it.

Just one more thing… At the foot of the metal lieutenant’s feet is a bronze basset hound modeled after a local dog named Franzi, who even showed up for the unveiling. This is of course supposed to be Columbo’s droopy-faced pet, “Dog.” Unfortunately, the dog does not seem to provide any further clues as to the decision-making process behind the statue’s bizarre existence. Maybe if Columbo were still alive, he could have solved the case.

There is also a little bronze squirrel with a gun right behind Colombo. Why is it there and what it means is a bit of a mystery.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/columbo-statue

[Bucky]

4. I love this!!