CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There is a history that tells of the expansion of western civilization to the North American continent, and a history beside it that tells of the price paid by indigenous cultures. It is that price that many find offensive in the display at public spaces of the figures involved.
In downtown Chicago, on the corner of Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive, a statue of Christopher Columbus stands now with graffiti linked to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Red streaks of paint symbolizing the blood of Native Americans also appear now on the tribute to the man credited with “discovering" America.
A Chicago resident and Italian American, Dave said he is proud of the contributions of Columbus.
"For us, it's a symbol of our heritage and we're proud of it. It's not something we should be ashamed of. History is history," he said.
A passerby seeing the graffiti for the first time said maybe there are better ways to go about removing the state found offensive to many, but that he gets why it is happening in this way.
"They just don't see a lot of change. I can see why now like all of that frustration is coming out in this way," the man told WBBM.
A woman, who was nearby, gazing at the graffitied statue, shared her thoughts as well.
“We should get rid of the Columbus statue, though. So that should’ve happened a long time ago. We wouldn’t have this vandalism if this statue wasn’t here," she told WBBM.
The area surrounding the monument is not closed but Chicago police officers are standing by and said they will enforce the law if they see it being broken. Supplying ideas for are a replacement to the Columbus statue with another figure Italians could be proud of, Dave floats the idea of Rocky Balboa.
"As for Sylvester Stallone, I'd be very proud to call him one of our national heroes," he said.