Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke out about the positive contributions of Christopher Columbus on Columbus Day, noting his courage and heroism despite attacks on the explorer by liberal activists.
“We must learn from history and continue to discuss Columbus’ contributions, discoveries, and experiences rather than revise history, and acknowledge that individuals who seek to defame Columbus and try to expunge the day from our civic calendar do so as part of a mission to portray the United States and Western history in a negative light as they seek to blame our country and its values for all that is evil in the world, rather than see it as the force for good,” DeSantis said in a statement.
Christopher Columbus displayed courage, determination, and perseverance when he sailed the ocean blue more than 500 years ago.
Happy Columbus Day! pic.twitter.com/6N0MlOkrvZ
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 11, 2021
The proclamation stood in contrast with the actions of President Joe Biden. He became the first sitting president to sign a proclamation to celebration Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations,” Biden said in a proclamation.
President Biden signs proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day https://t.co/4eenXfXbmC
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 9, 2021
The contrast also highlights the abandoning of American traditions by many Democrats, while Republicans seek to preserve aspects of America’s history they believe have made the nation exceptional.
The contrasts existed previously, but the Columbus Day proclamation offers two views showing two different perspectives regarding both the nation’s past and its future.
