Celebrating Italian American Heritage Without Linking it To Columbus

Today, I celebrate Indigenous People's Day. But to honor Italian Americans, whose profound contribution to this country should be separated from Columbus' legacy of colonization and genocide, I am also celebrating figures like Fiorello La Guardia Sacco and Venzetti Madonna Lady Gaga Joe DiMaggio Rocky Marciano Vito Marcantonio Frank Sinatra Tony Bennett Laura Nyro Ella Grasso Robert DiNiro Martin Scorcese Natalie Merchant Mary Gordon Mario Cuomo Ani DiFranco Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Nancy Pelosi and of course Dr Anthony Fauci, the Bronx's own Dion DiMucci and my friend the great teacher union leader Anna Fusco. There! I finally said publicly what I have been thinking privately for many years. And who can forget those two great athletes of mixed Italian-American/African-American heritage: Roy Campanella Franco Harris