Philadelphia’s mayor has decided that it’s no longer acceptable to celebrate Columbus Day. The Delaware Valley has always honored its Italian-American citizens on the Sunday closest to Oct. 12 by holding a parade through the heart of South Philadelphia. I would always go, as a child, even though I lived a good part of my life in Havertown. The parade attracted Italians, and Italian lovers, from all over.

I have a suspicion that despite Jim Kenney’s efforts to erase us, that parade will continue to march with banners and heads held high, even if the day on which it takes place will be saddled with the awkward title “Indigenous People’s Day.”