“In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue,” and on October 12, landed somewhere in the Bahamas. He also went to Cuba and Hispaniola, and eventually on to South and Central Americas.
Once credited with “discovering” the New World, Columbus and his voyage is now referred to as the beginning of “European Colonization of the Americas,” and he is all but ignored these days.
Oh sure, there are homages to Chris around the bay area. In Tampa, you can find a statue of Columbus that keeps watch at Columbus Statue Park at the north end of Bayshore Blvd, and of course, Columbus Drive runs from the airport through West Tampa, Tampa Heights, and Ybor City. But that’s about it.
The Columbus Association of Tampa was formed in 1959 to commemorate the national Columbus Day holiday. But even they don’t seem to care so much these days. More commonly referred to as the Krewe of Columbus, in recent years they moved the celebration away from the statue, and the website doesn’t even publicly acknowledge the existence of Columbus Day 2009, nor the anniversary of that statue they put up exactly 50 years ago today.
And today’s St. Pete Times Section B cover story (not found online) includes an overview of seven European explorers – none of which are named Columbus.
Still, you will not get any mail today. Happy Columbus Day!!
Anonymous
11 months ago
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D.House
10 months ago
You would think that with the number of Hispanics living in Florida, there would have been some kind of honorable mention somewhere for Columbus Day but, no. My guess is that community really has no say in what is celebrated when or by whom. This is yet another example of why FL on a larger scale sucks. As a child I remember in elementary school coloring the Mayflower and learning about Christopher Columbus and his ‘Portugese’ heritage and his ‘radical’ notion that the world wasn’t flat like all the learned men at the time thought. As a child though, it was the majestry of the King and Queen of Spain though, that caught my attention. Their robes and riches. Ahhhhhh. Somewhere along the road, this brave man, who had the audacity to think outside the box, became the poster child for mass genocide. It must not have been to widespread because General George Custer apparently found a few left. To my way of thinking, the lesson being taught here in Florida is yet another example of intolerance.
John
6 months ago
Dear Tommy,
I would appreciate if you got same facts and names correct before witing an article like this one. It is easy to do when your job is to take pot shots at people and organizations. Since I am the current President of the Krewe of Columbus, I am in the unique position to point out some things you got wrong. You are correct that the Krewe of Columbus/Columbus Celebration of Tampa, Inc. (the correct name)did not mention the Columbus Day Commemoration on its website. The Columbus Association was the name of the organization before a krewe was formed in the mid-1990’s and incorporated. Like many of the local Krewes in the Tampa Bay area the economy has taken a financial toll on our membership. We are happy to say that we are beiginning to rebound. I must tell you sir/madam that although it was not a a larger event as it had been in the past, the Members of the Krewe and its Royal Court of Queen Isabella the 50th met at the Statue presented flowers and had a moment of silence in rememberance of Columbus Day 2009(October 12, 2009) on October 17, 2009 , which was the following Saturday. It may have not been given publicity but the tradition was still alive. A key founder of our organization, Paul Longo was responsible for that statue and for the naming of Columbus Drive in Tampa and it is out of respect and tradition why our organization recognizes the accomplishemnts of Christopher Columbus which it seems you both choose to denigrate. Another thing that is inaccurate in your article is the name of the park where the Statue of Columbus is located. While I cannot recall the name at this moment I know for a fact the name is not Columbus Statue Park.
Our organization is a social organization that helps with local charites and provides a small scholarship fund for the young lady who is elected every year as Queen Isabella. We are proud of our organization and our traditions. Many of our members are of Hispanic and Italian Heritage and proud to be members of this organization. For a year or two it was moved to Courthouse Square Park when a larger event was planned. It was moved for safety reasons because the Park where the Statue is located at the intersection of Bayshore Blvd. and Platt street and the west footend of the Platt Street Bridge. In 2008 the commemoration was moved back to the statue’s location. There has been talk of moving the Statue to Courthouse Square but to this day neither the City of Tampa nor Hillsborough County changed the location. Since you pointed out that we did not mention the Columbus Day Commemoration Event 2009, we will make every effort that we are not singled out again in the future for its omittance.
Therefore I felt the need to clear a few things up! While you are doing your best to disrespect the memory of Christopher Colunbus there some who still show respect to history and heritage. This is the United States of America where it gives the right to speak and write as you please and allows me to do the same even though we do not agree. I think that differs from the intolerance that D. House ( how cute Dr. House) expresses. I think aka D House is right in only one part of his/her statement in that Columbus was a man who thought outside the box and helped changed the conventional Europen wisdom of the time. We can look at the past and complain or we can look at the here and now and the future to help one another and those who may be less fortunate.
It seems you two folks have intolerance of those who disagree with you.
So as you talk about intolerance we have found a way to give back to those in need and will continue as we continue to recover from these tough econimic times.
Respectfully,
John Palermo
tommy
6 months ago
Hey John!
Thanks for responding! It’s amusing to see such a long diatribe based on a single off-hand remark about your website.
I’d like to point out a few things to you as well.
First of all, the article is not an attack on the Krewe of Columbus/Columbus Celebration of Tampa, Inc. There is no need to be so defensive.
Please consider that with this article above, I am not “denigrating” Christopher Columbus, or attempting to “disrespect the memory of Christopher Colunbus.” In fact just the opposite – I was attempting to show that his accomplishments were being ignored in this great city on the very day named in his honor. My aim was at the city and her peoples, and I apologize for not making that clear.
I don’t believe that’s the name of the park, either, but that’s what the City of Tampa calls it. I linked to it in the above article, but the city apparently changed their website around. You can find “Columbus Statue Park” listed at http://www.tampagov.net/parks_search_webapp/ParkDetail.aspx?nbr=21
I take great offense at your use of the word “intolerance” in referring to me. I can see no instance where it applies. And not that I feel the need to defend reader D. House, but I take that comment in its entirety to mean they also believe Columbus is not getting the respect he deserves.
Good sir, I thank you for taking the time to notify our readers of the exact name of your organization, but I’d like to point out that there is nothing in your comment that corrects anything I got “wrong,” and I can still find no inaccuracies.
Finally, if I had known that “Members of the Krewe and its Royal Court of Queen Isabella the 50th met at the Statue presented flowers and had a moment of silence in rememberance of Columbus Day 2009,” I would have been all too happy to include the information.
Again, thanks for stopping by, and I’m glad you took the opportunity to share your thoughts.
John Palermo
6 months ago
Dear Tommy,
Thank you for your kind reply. It appears you are correct in many ways. First, I totally misunderstood the message you and D House were trying to portray. It is all too common to get defensive when you feel someone is attacking your organization. After rereading both of you two guys’ comments, I see you were trying to ask why has the History of Christopher Columbus disappeared. Maybe its political correctness or maybe its people being too sensitive. As I stated before the Krewe of Columbus holds itself responsible to tradition and heritage. We have fun at parades but try to help others in need where we can.
Second, I also stand corrected, Columbus Statue Park and the Bayshore Marina are all part of the Bayshore Linear Park located at 312 Bayshore Blvd. Bayshore Linear Park was the name I was familiar with, not Columbus Statue Park. I had spoken to Patrick Manteiga, Editor and Publisher of La Gacetta Newspaper,concerning the moving of this statue to a safer location in 2008. It had appeared that the developer of the Condo/Office Building directly across Bayshore Blvd was willing to help in its relocation. He(the developer) had stated that skate boarders would use the empty fountain for their tricks at late hours of the night and various other issues concerning the park. That was the last I heard of this subject until reading you statement late the other night, part of the reason for my defensive demeanor.
My comment of your intolerance was wrong as well. However late night reading is not advised if one intends to comprehend what they are reading and make logical summation from what they read. Not an excuse just an explanation. If you have further questions about our organization do not hesitate to contact me by email.
Respectfully,
John