Ever since we took our first steps into elementary school, we were taught the basics of math, English and the history of the U.S. In addition to people like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, a prominent figure in American history who is held in high regards is Christopher Columbus. Columbus has been honorably named the founder of America, the one who discovered the ‘unknown world.’

In reality, however, Columbus wasn’t as great of a guy as we make him out to be. He was not the first person on American soil, nor was he the first to find the land. When it comes down to it, he was essentially the leader of a mass genocide. He stumbled across land which was already occupied, but decided it was his right to take over the area anyway. His name only recollects memories of pain, suffering and trauma to the Native American people.

So why do we continue to praise him and hold him in such high regard? Year after year on the second Monday of October, we continually celebrate Columbus Day. What does this say about us as a society? Why have we not changed the way our education system has failed to tell the true tale of the indigenous people who were brutally attacked when Columbus arrived?

Many cities nationwide have enacted the change to “Indigenous Peoples Day.” It’s time to follow suit. The city council in East Lansing, Michigan approved the change Tuesday, Sept. 27, following in the footsteps of Ann Arbor, Alpena, Ypsilanti and Traverse City, all of which dropped Columbus Day as well.

We need to, as Lakers, be sure we are supporting and standing with those who correctly recognize the truth of how America was founded and who Christopher Columbus really was. Celebrating genocide, rape and torture is not something we should condone. We should honor the people who actually founded the land, who were forced out of their native land.

Making the decision on whether or not Columbus Day is inaccurate and hurtful should not be up to those who are not of indigenous heritage. The history we are celebrating on Columbus Day has become unknown to many Americans, especially due to educating youth on a fabricated story. When thinking about celebrating American history, recognizing the experiences of those who were treated unjustly should be a priority.

Changing the celebration to honoring those people who originally settled America would help not only those involved with indigenous people or tribes, but the country as a whole. This decision will also ultimately help make GVSU a more inclusive place to the small portion of students who are indigenous people or those who come from indigenous tribes.

If we continue to celebrate a holiday representing such a terrible period in history, we are not learning from our past mistakes in order to improve our future. Failure to recognize the reality of what has happened to the indigenous people of this country will only set us further back and diminish the efforts to make our country a better, more inclusive place.