Italian American Museum — Attraction in New York

I was initially excited to visit the newly opened Italian American Museum in Little Italy but was immediately shocked by this display about Christopher Columbus. It says that he "...encountered a world where Indigenous people practiced cannibalism, human sacrifice and slavery." Is this even true? Does this statement reflect positive contributions that Italians have made to New York City?

It needs to be removed immediately.

To identify the Indigenous people of this land as practicing cannibalism and human sacrifice is extremely NOT politically correct, especially in this era when statues of Columbus are being toppled around the country. It infers European superiority when in reality they committed widespread genocide in their personal quest for freedoms and a better life in America, at the expense of Native peoples.

Shame on the Italian American Museum, it's donors and Board members for allowing this statement and thus perpetuating negative stereotypes, racism and inequality.

It might be a good thing to celebrate and preserve the contributions Italian Americans have made to New York but it should not be done while vilifying others. The Native Americans were in fact initially very generous toward settlers, and subsequently massacred by Europeans.

The Board needs to focus on positive statements that promote greater cultural understanding in this city and thus reduce the polarized atmosphere of these...

We visited with a friend from Italy who expressed interest in seeing this museum. I had attended an event at its old location many years ago and was not impressed at the time, but I thought it was new and trying to find its way and gave it a pass. The new space is very sleek and mod, the front desk people were very welcoming, however, it's $15 per person to see a statue of a garment worker from Flushing - hometown shout out! - which can be seen from the street, some foam core displays about Verrazzano/Verrazano - saw various spellings of his name, and some very cool old puppets that were part of a theater company that was located on Mulberry Street in the 20's and 30's, and that's where the experience ends. Apparently there will be more exhibits added at some future date and that may be worth it for some, but I see no reason to go there ever again. I am an Italian-American from NYC descended from immigrants and I have more 'historical' documentation in my own family 'archives' than was displayed in this museum. It's disappointing because it could and SHOULD be so much more. Spoiler alert: Verrazano was eaten by cannibals. Not...

I was so excited to go to this museum. They should not be open to the public until they have all their exhibits open. They are charging $15 for you to look at some puppets and a hallway images. They don’t tell you that only the mezzanine level is open until after you have already bought tickets. That is not all, I was disgusted to read such anti-indigenous propaganda. As a proud Italian American we need to move away from celebrating a man who wanted to be more Spanish than Italian and committed genocide. Let’s celebrate how we have overcome racism ourselves and have made important contributions to our country. Thoughts on Columbus aside, charging $15 to look at a single room of puppets...