【】

It's way overdue, but America is reckoning with some of the darker parts of its history.

As the fight to remove Confederate monuments continues, lots of folks were also wondering why the nation still displays statues of Christopher Columbus across the country. The famous explorer, after all, carried out horrific atrocities, including mass genocide of the indigenous people in the Americas.

Still, some Italian Americans hold onto the idea that he represents something bigger, including New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who defended having a statue of the explorer in NYC on Thursday.

Mashable Top StoriesStay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletterBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Thanks for signing up!

"The Christopher Columbus statue in some way represents the Italian American legacy in this country and the Italian American contribution in this country," he said at a press conference.

Setting aside the fact that Columbus sailed for Spain and never set foot in the United States, some helpful folks online came up with a great meme about who might prove a suitable replacement for the explorer. Things took a turn toward the absurd and, honestly, it was wonderful.

1. Not a bad idea

Tweet may have been deleted

2. I need to see this statue in person

Tweet may have been deleted

3. Keeping with the Sopranos theme

Tweet may have been deleted

4. Could get behind this

Tweet may have been deleted

5. I support any and all efforts to have more statues of corn

Tweet may have been deleted

6. Please find me a better Italian American icon. You cannot.

Tweet may have been deleted

Danny DeVito a true Italian America icon.Credit: Shutterstock

7. In case you didn't know, this is Bigtime Tommie

Tweet may have been deleted

8. You don't even need to change that many letters!

Tweet may have been deleted

9. More Willie in the world is definitely a good idea

Tweet may have been deleted

10. A litany of options

Tweet may have been deleted

11. I don't know who Mr. Pickle is but I really, really support this

Tweet may have been deleted

12. Kind of thought we were past the Baby Yoda moment, but sure why not?

Tweet may have been deleted

TopicsActivismMemes

(责任编辑：焦點)