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In reply to the discussion: Happy Columbus Day! [View all]kwassa
(23,340 posts)Irish, Italians, Jews, all were despite initial prejudice against them, eventually just became white Americans.
And, because of this, they became privileged white Americans.
Black people didn't have that option, and they still don't. This is a critical difference between the experience of Italians and blacks. I find the part of your quote about racial prejudice against Italians rather humorous. They are white people.
You believe in a specific reading of Columbus day as being correct; I think you are wrong. Columbus Day to most Americans is about Columbus, not Italian-Americans. You insist on it being only about Italian-Americans, which may have been it's historical origin, but the meaning has shifted over time. To the rest of us, it is about only Columbus, with all the issues of his conquest.
Now, explain to me the cultural Italian meaning of Shriners riding around in tiny cars in the parade.
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