At its core is a hatred of whites and America multiplied by smug self righteousness and ignorance

Fun takes a holiday in Somerville
School frowns on Halloween, Columbus Day – and maybe Thanksgiving
A Somerville principal has opened fire on cherished American holidays, blasting legendary explorer Christopher Columbus for “atrocities” and saying “we need to be careful” about celebrating Thanksgiving in a scathing email to teachers — who are already under orders not to let the kids dress up for Halloween.

By Jessica Heslam | Friday, October 14, 2011

“When we were young we might have been able to claim ignorance of the atrocities that Christopher Columbus committed against the indigenous peoples,” wrote Kennedy School Principal Anne Foley. “We can no longer do so. For many of us and our students celebrating this particular person is an insult and a slight to the people he annihilated. On the same lines, we need to be careful around the Thanksgiving Day time as well.”

Mayor Joseph Curtatone said, “She raises a fair point. History is messy.” School Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi said her “intention is to be very, very sensitive to all of the many, many cultures” of Somerville. Foley said she just wanted to “open up a conversation.”

“When I grew up, I was taught from a very European perspective of history and it was both embarrassing and enlightening to me when I learned other perspectives,” Foley said. “I want our children and families to know that we are aware of those other perspectives.”

When pressed on the “atrocities” of Columbus and misdeeds of the Pilgrims, Foley said she wasn’t going to “dwell on that.”

“I have friends who are Native American. I have friends from the islands in the Caribbean. I’ve heard their perspective on different things that we say and do — their versions of history,” said Foley.

But some historians say the K-8 educator needs to do her homework.

Carol Delaney, author of “Columbus and the Quest for Jerusalem,” said the Italian explorer has been “terribly maligned.”

“He was not the one going off marauding,” she said. “There were some atrocities that happened but he was generally not involved.”

Charles C. Mann, author of “1491” about the interactions between Indians and Europeans, said Thanksgiving is “sort-of a made-up holiday” but it’s his favorite, bringing families together in gratitude.

“I don’t see why it’s such a terrible thing,” Mann said.

U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) said historical figures shouldn’t be judged by today’s standards: “Christopher Columbus and the Pilgrims may have had shortcomings, but they also represent the adventurous, inquisitive side of our heritage and we should recognize that they played key roles in the foundation of our great nation.”

Of the Somerville schools’ ban on Halloween costumes, Pierantozzi said, for some students’ families, “Halloween is problematic.” He cited its connections to witchcraft, adding, “Some of our students come from cultures where kids are frightened by it.”

But Somerville mom Michele Campbell called the holiday hoo-ha a joke: “Let the kids enjoy them.”