Some Minnesotans want to swap out a Christopher Columbus statue with one of Prince, and we’re into it
These days, it seems like everyone is creating a petition for one reason or another — whether it’s to bring back a gone-too-soon Netflix series or to create change, like these wonderful folks in Minnesota who want to replace a status of Christopher Columbus with one of Prince. And yes, we’re talking about the late, great, foxy, “Purple Rain”-singing, smooth-operating, seven-time Grammy Award-winning rockstar Prince Rogers Nelson — that same Prince.
The petition was created by community organizer Wintana Melekin, and has already been signed by over 2,500 people. The petition is titled “Replace Columbus Statue with a Prince Statue and One Chosen by the Native Community,” and addressed specifically to Gov. Mark Dayton and the State Legislature of Minnesota. Its description reads:
"Across the nation, city governments are choosing to remove statues of white supremacists, slave owners, and those who threatened the livelihood of Black people. Here in Minnesota, communities are reigniting the demand to bring down state’s monument to Christopher Columbus, a man who murdered, raped and enslaved Black and Native peoples in the Americas."
“We, the undersigned, do not believe that Columbus represents the values Minnesotans carry. Rather than glorify a man who wanted to extinguish Black and Native peoples, we should honor members of our community whose leadership we find inspirational.”
Probably not what you were taught about Columbus in school, huh?
Under the question “Why is this important?” Melekin answered, “Prince represents Minnesota values and Columbus does not.” Prince is a Minnesota native and legend, so replacing the status of the “discoverer,” which currently stands at the State Capitol building in St. Paul, with the rockstar makes sense.
"We all know Prince is a genius, and who wouldn’t pick him over Columbus, anyway?" Melekin said.
Listen, we know we definitely would! Let’s hope the Minnesotans can collect all the signatures they need to conjure up this magical statue swap.
