“I think it's fine to celebrate Columbus Day, because it happened and it's history. And I got the day off.”

— Shelly Hampton, banker, Lawrence

“Well, it's not my favorite holiday. I think it needs to be re-evaluated and changed. I used to live in South Dakota, where it was known as Native American Day, which I think is much more appropriate.”

— Regis Vialle, retired, Topeka

“Yes I do. It's basically celebrating the beginning of a genocide. It's not something we should be proud of. Columbus was completely disrespectful to the people he encountered here.”

— Emily Kurtz, retail sales, Lawrence

“No. I think Columbus Day is appropriate. It's a national, nonsecular holiday. I don't find it discriminatory.”

— Zach Stites, Kansas University freshman, Lawrence