It was marked on the calendar that Oct. 13 was Columbus Day. Many would consider this a fairly important day as far as the calendar goes, seeing how Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery of the New World. Columbus Day is still, despite some dissent, a federal holiday. The lack of awareness in Iowa is likely related to the fact that our state does not recognize Columbus Day as an official holiday, which is a growing theme across the nation.

With such little awareness being given to a national holiday recognized by the United States government, international holidays, which carry significant meaning to international students or to minority cultures, have little or no chance of being acknowledged by Iowa State students or staff. This unfortunate realization also reveals a noticeable hypocrisy within a university which treasures and embraces its diverse student body.

Oct. 13, while celebrated and known as Columbus Day in the United States, is also Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October, and the holiday predates the American form of the celebration because it was celebrated in 1578 by Martin Frobisher.

That example is simply a different interpretation of a widely known and celebrated American tradition, but the fact that no one discusses the true origins of the holiday perfectly exemplifies American ignorance of internationally significant dates. 

Therefore it isn’t difficult to imagine that a holiday that Americans share no national or cultural bond is easily lost on the general public, outside of the people who celebrate it as part of their culture.

Oct. 13 is a celebrated date around the world. The day marks the celebration of Eid-al-Ghadir in Iran and in Shia Muslim communities across the world, as well as Argentina’s national day of respect for cultural diversity.

Many Americans will claim that awareness of international holidays and traditions is irrelevant because those cultures have assimilated into our culture not the other way around, but such arrogance goes directly against the ideals upon which our nation is based.

America has always been a melting pot of different ideas, languages, histories and cultures. The culture of the majority may seem more important to recognize and celebrate because many people ignore the traditions of other cultures, but it does a disservice to our founding principles.

No group of people should have their cultural history trivialized simply due to the ignorance of those around them. No one should have to fit themselves into what has become the cultural norm for our society just because some ideas and beliefs are more widely recognized than others. The United States is looked on by many as a bastion of democracy and social equity because every opinion is heard, even if only the slimmest minority is voicing it.

There may never be nationwide celebrations of international holidays and minority culture traditions. In fact it would be shocking if such developments are ever made, but the very least we can do as a society is gain an understanding and an awareness for these overlooked dates and events.

International students make up a fair portion of our university, so there are great and prevalent opportunities for Iowa State students to start a trend of multicultural awareness. Between the organizations, events and the international students themselves who are on campus, there are no excuses for inquiring minds at Iowa State to be unaware of the diversity around them. The only reason that a student at our university might not know about different cultures is simply a matter of effort or, more precisely, a lack of it.