# Columbus Day v Indigenous People's Day v Leif Erikson Day

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/columbus-day-v-indigenous-peoples-day-v-leif-erikson-day/952323>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [October 11, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/columbus-day-v-indigenous-peoples-day-v-leif-erikson-day/952323 "2021-10-11T21:56:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 397

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**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/columbus-day-v-indigenous-peoples-day-v-leif-erikson-day/952323/397 "2021-11-22T23:09:52Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> > [@Max\_S](#):
> >
> > Do you mean, how do I justify rejecting that an oppressor lacks positive moral value?
> 
> The first one, first.

The act of oppression lacks positive moral value, in my opinion. Therefore an oppressor lacks positive moral value. I do not reject that and do not attempt to justify rejecting it.

I’m confused with the whole line of questioning, so please do retain the initiative.

> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> You’re saying someone is wrong about correctly assessing _who they identify with_ ?

No. There is a subtle difference between _who they identify with_/_what they identify as_ and _their identity_. The former construction specifies that it is up to the person. The latter construction does not.

A person can identify themself as a Martian and be wrong about their identity. If I say that person is wrong about their identity, I can still say they identify themself as a Martian without contradicting myself.

(You can insert any word for “Martian”.)

~Max

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