America needs more parades like the one I viewed in San Francisco last Sunday, October 10, 2021. The parade was called the Italian Heritage Parade. It used to be called the Columbus Day Parade, but that was before political correctness reared its ugly head and canceled Christopher Columbus. That fact saddens me because Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, and that is partly my family’s heritage. My father’s family came from Cicagna, Italy, a small town in the mountains above Genoa. By the way, America is named after Amerigo Vespucci, another Italian explorer. Let’s hope we do not cancel him for some reason in the future. One never knows what would trigger something like that. But for now, back to the parade.
The Italian Heritage Parade
This parade was about as inclusive as any I have ever seen. There were marching bands from nearby high schools, the Gay and Lesbian Freedom Band, three military bands, various Italian community associations, and representation from the Italian Consulate and the Republic of Malta. And, a large contingent from Falun Dafa marched by, as well as several cars with beautiful Chinese women whom I believe were contestants or winners of the Miss Chinatown pageant. There was even a float with Christopher Columbus on the Santa Maria. I shouted out to him as I stood in the street as the parade passed by: “If it weren’t for you, none of us would be here today.” He gave me a thumbs up.
As an aside, the People’s Republic of China persecutes Falun Dafa for practicing a religious-like creed. Their credal values are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. I, for one, do not understand such persecutions on any level. But, on the other hand, those three values seem to be much needed in our world today. Perhaps that is why.
Parades And Such In Philadelphia
I was born and raised in Philadelphia. We had parades and picnics galore to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, and just about any American holiday or tradition that occurred throughout the year.
My favorite was the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day. My father used to bring my two brothers and me every year when we were young. I remember sitting on my father’s shoulders watching the string bands and comics stream by on Broad Street. I can still do the Mummers Strut when the string bands play. A great memory of childhood and growing up in Philadelphia.
America was a land of parades and traditions back in the day. I wonder if it still is today. I hope those days are not gone forever. Parades bring us together and help us celebrate being American, and that is a good thing.
Links
External: https://phillymummers.com/
Internal: https://whitebeardwisdom.com/america-is-like-a-box-of-crayons/
