If you keep up with the latest news and events within Chicago’s Italian America, you are likely familiar with Ron Onesti. As President of the Joint Civic Community of Italian Americans (JCCIA) and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame as well as Director of Casa Italia, the Italian American War Veterans Museum, and Fra Noi Magazine, Onesti has championed many causes that are near and dear to the community’s heart, but perhaps none are more important than his efforts to preserve Columbus Day. Every year, the JCCIA plays host to one of the most impressive and largest parades on Columbus Day across the United States in the Windy City, and 2024 will be no different. There are even a few exciting additions to this year’s festivities that Ron Onesti shared exclusively on the Hardcore Italians Podcast in an episode that you will not want to miss:
Expressing Solidarity with the Native American Community
With the recent push to recognize Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Italian and Native American communities have been unnecessarily pitted against each other to advocate for the celebration of their respective cultures on the second Monday of October. It has long been the contention of Italian American leadership that Native Americans deserve their own holiday to celebrate their contributions to America, but that this day should be in addition to, not instead of, Columbus Day. In an effort to show our community’s support for Native Americans (and vice versa), Onesti announced that the JCCIA will march in the parade alongside 40 representatives of the Dakota, Sioux, Creek Sioux, Navajo, Cherokee, and Chippewa tribes. They are members of the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), an organization that aims to promote and preserve Native American history but also oppose the recent wave of cancel culture that has put a chokehold on the United States.
As Onesti mentions during the episode, NAGA actually rejects the phrase “Indigenous Peoples” altogether, as it is a non-specific term that can be used to reference a number of different ethnic groups. They prefer the term “Native American,” as it is more encompassing of their culture, traditions, beliefs, and values. Another interesting point made by Onesti is that both groups have “American” in their name, and these organizations felt it was the right time to stand with one another, show solidarity on the so-called “controversial issue” that is Columbus Day, and demonstrate that they can respectfully co-exist. This ties directly into this year’s parade theme, which is “bridging gaps, celebrating our heritage, and protecting our culture.”
Celebrating Columbus Day “My Way”
While Christopher Columbus is perhaps the most well known historical figure to hail from Italy, the title of the most popular Italian American in recent memory is likely held by Frank Sinatra. As one of the most revered entertainers of the mid-20th century, the “Chairman of the Board” still boasts nearly 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He had many iconic songs over his career that are beloved by many, but “My Way” definitely stands out from the rest. As Sinatra’s best selling single and most streamed track on Spotify with over 500 million listens, “My Way” holds a special place in the hearts of Sinatra fanatics, which makes the next update from Onesti even more exciting.
Paul Anka, the singer/songwriter who wrote the English lyrics to the hit tune in the late 1960s, is expected to perform a Columbus Day-themed rendition of the song popularized by Ol’ Blue Eyes during the festivities on Monday. While we will need to wait until Columbus Day to hear the exact lyrics, the song is expected to reference Italian pride as well as the statues of Christopher Columbus that were removed from Chicago’s Grant and Arrigo parks. There have even been rumblings that the Chicago White Sox, Anthony Rizzo, and Sean “Diddy” Combs will be mentioned in the revised track.
Setting the Record Straight on Christopher Columbus
Aside from the planned celebrations in honor of Columbus Day in Chicago, another important topic that Onesti touched on during the episode are common misconceptions and misrepresentations surrounding Christopher Columbus and his legacy. When considering common accusations against the navigator like slavery, murder, and genocide, the vast majority of the claims being made are grossly exaggerated or outright ahistorical. Columbus was adamantly against enslaving the natives he encountered, and his main motivation during his time in the West Indies was to spread Christianity, not terror. Not only was Columbus a monk, but he even adopted the son of a local Taino chief named Guacanagari following his death.
We hope you enjoyed this insightful conversation with JCCIA President Ron Onesti. To learn more about the group’s mission and planned festivities for this year’s Columbus Day, please visit the JCCIA website.
