“This could be a great opportunity to officially recognize other important moments such as May 4th Gaspee Days or Juneteenth.” “Although the blatant anti-Japanese sentiment has been dropped, it is time to engage in a collective conversation around the focus of the Victory Day holiday. “As a proud sister, daughter and granddaughter of Army veterans, I fully appreciate the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation during WWII,” Gorbea told The Journal in an email. “Thousands of Rhode Islanders sacrificed themselves for the cause of democracy, and their example is especially important today given the troubling rise of extremism and totalitarianism both abroad and at home.”Įven Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, who has waded into cultural battles before (he has proposed reparations for Black and indigenous city residents) steered clear of the Victory Day debate.Īmong sitting state officeholders, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea goes the furthest toward supporting a holiday overhaul. General Treasurer Seth Magaziner “believes it is appropriate to celebrate the end of the second world war as a victory over fascism,” spokesman Evan England wrote in en email. Gina Raimondo, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio all had the same response: no comment. The Journal last week reached out to a dozen of the state’s high-ranking elected officials and 2020 candidates for their takes on whether Victory Day is ripe for a change. “ father served in the Pacific during World War II and he believes that everyone who served with him should continue to be honored and remembered on Victory Day." Dan McKee, wrote The Journal in an email. "The Allied triumph in World War II was nothing less than the triumph of good over evil,“ Andrea Palagi, spokeswoman for Lt. I am more than happy to meet in the upcoming weeks or talk via phone or email.But in a state with a large number of veterans and a protective sense of tradition, the idea of taking victory out of Victory Day meets stiff pushback. I know I am coming to you late in the legislative process but I hope this letter and project encourage you to start thinking about next year and August 10, 2020. Additionally, I’m making a small postcard explaining the project, and sending this letter to you and other elected officials. The current political climate has intensified feelings of xenophobia this day contributes to negative feelings of difference for myself and others.Īs part of my efforts to encourage Rhode Islanders to reconsider Victory Day, I’m creating a series of posters reimagining the holiday name. Victory Day has always reminded me of this time in her life. My grandmother was relocated to an internment camp during World War II. I feel, however, that this day has become more a day to visit the beach than to remember our veterans. Rhode Island played a critical role in the war, and the veterans who fought in the war deserve to be honored. I do not intend this letter to discredit the sacrifice of those who served in World War II. What is the victory over? What are we commemorating? It is impossible to explain ‘Victory Day’ as a holiday. Rhode Island has technically never celebrated ‘Victory over Japan Day’ (recognized as September 2) we instead celebrate ‘Victory Day’ (as the second Monday of August since 1966 though initially recognized on August 14). Though I have lived here for thirteen years, I still have difficulty explaining why we take ‘Victory Day’ as a state holiday. I have lived and worked in Rhode Island since 2006. “I am writing to you at the height of our Rhode Island summer-hopefully you can read this while at the beach!
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