New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Bring back Columbus
The citizens of New Britain still have their Columbus statue.
Why? Simple answer, they did their homework. They took their time to challenge comrade Howard Zinn and those of his ilk, as the latter chose to demonize Christopher Columbus.
Hellbent on rewriting history, Zinn and company created a false narrative to embarrass, discredit and deny the contributions of thousands of descendants of Italian
immigrants. To those who should have challenged Zinn’s fabricated version of history ... where were you?
How many times have we heard our mayor declare that his administration, unlike others, will be remembered for its “transparency” and “inclusion”? Sadly, that promise apparently depends on the issue at hand. His action however, to get rid of statue, is a classic example of “the ends justifying the means.”
First create the illusion that the final decision was the product of participation, over time, of a broad segment of the Greater
New Haven community. Then be patient . Those who question the process and recent the outcome, will soon get over it. Tantrums are temporary and pass quietly. (They wish.)
We are not forgetting this.
It’s not over. Return the statue to its place of honor in Columbus Park where it has remained for 129 years, as a source of pride for the Italian American community as well as for the entire Greater New Haven community.
Frank Marino, East Haven
John Esposito, New Haven