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I can't believe it. Did Donald Trump proclaim Italian explorer Christopher Columbus an "American" hero? Yes, he did!
I know Oct. 12-13 has passed but I just can't get over Trump's recent proclamation on Columbus Day. It's a real piece of work. For anyone who's been following the ongoing debate over the meaning of this holiday, it's a stark reminder of how history can be used as a political football. As I've touched on in past posts, the fight isn't just about one man, but what he represents. It's a clash between an idealized past and the more complicated, and often painful, reality.
What's not true in the 2025 Columbus Day proclamation? Everything.
Let's call out the latest presidential proclamation on Columbus Day for what it is: a fairy tale. It’s the white-washed history we’ve been fighting against for decades, where whites are portrayed in heroic terms and people of color are forgotten and erased. You’d think by 2025, we’d have moved past this, but some people are determined to turn back the clock.
The proclamation calls Christopher Columbus an “original American hero” and a “giant of Western civilization.” But what about the other side of that story? You know, the part about the violence, the subjugation, the disease? Apparently, that’s just a footnote in Trump's eyes.
Critics, including Indigenous advocates and historians, are rightly calling this out as "untrue" and an erasure of history. It’s like rewriting a chapter and conveniently leaving out all the bad stuff.
Here's the real story, stripped of the propaganda:
Heroic portrayal? Not even close. Columbus and his men brought violence and brutality wherever they went. The proclamation praises him while omitting the fact that he enslaved and inflicted horrific acts on Indigenous populations.
What about the atrocities? No mention at all. This document completely ignores the devastation brought by European colonization. The introduction of disease, the displacement, the genocide—all swept under the rug.
Minimization of historical criticism. The proclamation attacks those who criticize Columbus, labeling them "left-wing arsonists" who want to "erase our history." This is just a cheap political tactic, meant to distract from the actual history. The truth is, people aren't trying to erase history; they’re trying to tell the whole story.
He didn't "discover" anything. Indigenous people had been here for thousands of years. The narrative of “discovery” is not only false, but it’s disrespectful to the very communities that were decimated by his arrival.
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| The Trump White House ignored Indigenous Peoples Day in favor of Christopher Columbus. |
It's clear that this isn't about celebrating a full, accurate version of American history.
It's about a culture war, a political move to appease Trump's white supremacist base.
Columbus never set foot in what is now the United States. He was Italian, yes, but he was working for the King and Queen of Spain.
We don't begrudge using the day to celebrate Italian American history. There are plenty of other Italians and Italian Americans and their accomplishments that we can honor.
Impact of history distortion
As a Filipino American, I've seen firsthand how a whitewashed, Eurocentric view of US history is not just wrong, but actively harmful. We're fed a narrative in school that centers Europe and treats everyone else as a footnote, if they're even mentioned at all. This isn't just about hurt feelings; it’s about a deeply flawed education that has real-world consequences for all of us.
When schools teach this sanitized, one-dimensional history, AANHPI kids and other marginalized students often feel culturally disconnected. You see yourself and your family's story left out of the narrative. It’s like being told you don't really belong, that your contributions to this country are invisible.
This lack of representation reinforces misinformation. How many times have we seen the narrative that European settlers "discovered" America, erasing the existence of Indigenous peoples who were here first? Or how the brutal history of colonialism and slavery gets watered down or swept under the rug? It's a deliberate act of historical negligence that serves to minimize the struggles of non-white people and maintain a skewed version of our past.
For those who aren't part of these marginalized groups, it creates a narrow and incomplete understanding of the world and gives them a false sense of superiority. It makes it harder to navigate the complex, multicultural society we actually live in. It breeds stereotypes and prevents genuine empathy.
I always got an "A" in history but little did I know what I wasn't learning. If I knew about Manila Village, the 1965 Grape Strike, the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Incarceration of Japanese Americans, or the truth of the Philippine American War, I can only wonder what an increased sense of self-worth and search for identity might have affected my life.
Instead of moving forward, acknowledging our complex and sometimes dark history, Trump and his followers would like to return to the simpler days when our country's history told only the white perspective.
As a Filipino American, I've seen firsthand how a whitewashed, Eurocentric view of US history is not just wrong, but actively harmful. We're fed a narrative in school that centers Europe and treats everyone else as a footnote, if they're even mentioned at all. This isn't just about hurt feelings; it’s about a deeply flawed education that has real-world consequences for all of us.
When schools teach this sanitized, one-dimensional history, AANHPI kids and other marginalized students often feel culturally disconnected. You see yourself and your family's story left out of the narrative. It’s like being told you don't really belong, that your contributions to this country are invisible.
This lack of representation reinforces misinformation. How many times have we seen the narrative that European settlers "discovered" America, erasing the existence of Indigenous peoples who were here first? Or how the brutal history of colonialism and slavery gets watered down or swept under the rug? It's a deliberate act of historical negligence that serves to minimize the struggles of non-white people and maintain a skewed version of our past.
For those who aren't part of these marginalized groups, it creates a narrow and incomplete understanding of the world and gives them a false sense of superiority. It makes it harder to navigate the complex, multicultural society we actually live in. It breeds stereotypes and prevents genuine empathy.
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| This sign has been added to the Manzanar National Moonument. Note No. 3. |
Whitewashing history
The Columbus proclamation is just the latest of an apparent policy of eliminating any historical evidence of minority history and or any information that demeans Whites and their perception of history.
- The Trump administration commissioned the "1776 Report" to promote "patriotic education" in schools. This report was widely condemned by historians for containing factual inaccuracies, downplaying the legacy of racism, and comparing progressivism to fascism. It was used as a template for executive actions that censored discussions of race and gender in federal training and curriculum.
- In March 2025, Trump issued an executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which accused the Smithsonian Institution of promoting a "divisive, race-centered ideology". The order empowered Vice President J.D. Vance to review Smithsonian programs, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and to remove content deemed "improper ideology".
- These directives have led to the removal of displays at sites administered by the NPS that mentioned difficult aspects of American history, including Japanese American internment during World War II. "Snitch signs" were also posted asking park visitors to report "negative" information.
- The same March 2025 executive order led to the removal of signs and exhibits referencing difficult historical events, such as Japanese American internment, at sites operated by the NPS. For example, a display atJamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge was removed because it referenced holding Japanese Americans in wartime camps.
- Executive Order 14190, signed in January 2025, prohibits K-12 schools from teaching materials labeled as anti-American or subversive, or that promote critical race theory.
- Federal agencies removed thousands of web pages and images honoring the contributions of minorities and women, including the Navajo Code Talkers and Tuskegee Airmen. Arlington National Cemetery also removed histories of Black, Hispanic, and female veterans.
Making America white again
impact on identity is profound. When people of color are denied an accurate historical reflection of their heritage, it can lead to internalized racism and cultural shame. Our cultural traditions and knowledge are devalued because they aren't part of the "official," Eurocentric story.
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| A teacher used a surfboard to start a lesson on Hawaiian culture and history. |
I always got an "A" in history but little did I know what I wasn't learning. If I knew about Manila Village, the 1965 Grape Strike, the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Incarceration of Japanese Americans, or the truth of the Philippine American War, I can only wonder what an increased sense of self-worth and search for identity might have affected my life.
This denial of history can sever generations from their roots, weakening their cultural pride and resilience. It's a slow-burning attack on identity that continues to have an effect years after you've left the classroom.
This isn't just about what happened in the past. It’s about how that distorted history is used to justify inequality today. The myth of European superiority is woven into our institutions and policies, perpetuating systemic racial disparities in everything from housing to education to healthcare.
A flawed understanding of our past leads to a flawed political discourse in the present. It’s why you see endless arguments over policies and rhetoric that prioritize the interests of one group while ignoring historical injustices that created the current playing field. It is why white supremacists fill the ranks of unregulated militias and why MAGA is so stubbornly loyal to Trump in order to preserve their privileged status.
The myth of a dominant, singular American culture inhibits everyone. It puts up a wall that prevents us from appreciating and learning from the incredible diversity that truly defines this nation. Until we confront this fake, Eurocentric history advocated by the Trump administration and the billionaires who support him and demand a more honest, inclusive history that includes our stories, we’ll continue to live with its fallout.
This isn't just about what happened in the past. It’s about how that distorted history is used to justify inequality today. The myth of European superiority is woven into our institutions and policies, perpetuating systemic racial disparities in everything from housing to education to healthcare.
A flawed understanding of our past leads to a flawed political discourse in the present. It’s why you see endless arguments over policies and rhetoric that prioritize the interests of one group while ignoring historical injustices that created the current playing field. It is why white supremacists fill the ranks of unregulated militias and why MAGA is so stubbornly loyal to Trump in order to preserve their privileged status.
The distortion of historical facts prevents an honest dialogue about racism in America and the lived experiences of people of color. Without acknowledging and valuing the contributions and experiences of all groups, society cannot heal historical wounds. Acknowledging the psychological harm of historical erasure is a crucial step towards reconciliation and building a more inclusive and equitable environment.
The myth of a dominant, singular American culture inhibits everyone. It puts up a wall that prevents us from appreciating and learning from the incredible diversity that truly defines this nation. Until we confront this fake, Eurocentric history advocated by the Trump administration and the billionaires who support him and demand a more honest, inclusive history that includes our stories, we’ll continue to live with its fallout.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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