Jersey Shore Residents Celebrate – and Ignore

It's Columbus Day, when we celebrate the Italian-born man who discovered the Western Hemisphere.

Or do we?

This day has become a bit controversial, not because some are working while some are home, but because many believe the holiday is politically incorrect.

Christopher Columbus' introduction of the 'new world' to Europeans led to the eventual slaughter of countless native Americans and the slave trade which took centuries to end.

However, despite the horrific actions of early Americans, we can all agree that this country is one to be proud of.

Sure, we have our problems, but we are resilient people, and we are lucky to be here.

In your everyday life, a common problem is likely that you forgot your cell phone at home or you don't know what to make for dinner, or your husband is driving you nuts.

We don't worry about not being able to communicate with others for days, weeks, or months on end...what scraps we can scrounge up so the children don't die of malnutrition, or groups of soldiers coming to sexually assault you in the middle of the night.

So today, be glad Columbus discovered this place. We still have a long way to go before I'll consider us the 'best' country (equality, women's rights, mental healthcare, fast food...) but I am proud to be an American, and prouder today to be an American of Italian heritage.