Founders AND Native American History Month?
On October 31st, President Trump declared that November would be in celebration of the nation’s founding fathers. Many, including Native American activists, feel that Trump is trying to replace Native American Heritage Month. To many, celebrating Founders Month during Native American Heritage is tone deaf, especially since the founding fathers are benefited from the genocide of Native American peoples and justified stealing Native American lands.
In addition, there are some states that already celebrate the founders of America. In Florida, Founders Month is celebrated every September. Other states like Arkansas and Missouri also celebrate Founders Month. A statement put out by the White House following the announcement goes as follows: “For more than two centuries, the American experiment in self government has been the antithesis of tyranny, and our constitution has secured the blessings of liberty… To continue to advance liberty and prosperity, we must ensure that the next generation of leaders is steeped in the proud history of our country.” Such statements resulted in immediate criticism. Historians were quick to comment that these statements depicted the United States as a perfect country when, in reality, the atrocities committed by the nation’s founders and those who came before them are not to be forgotten or ignored.
In my opinion, Trump is trying to replace Native American Heritage Month. By putting Founders Month in its place, he is attempting to undermine the importance of Native American Heritage Month. This is ironic considering another white man is trying to undermine Native Americans. What I don’t get is how no one in his administration told him that it would look bad for him if he did this? Do they not understand how this will look on them? Especially with the history that the founders have with Native Americans, there is no other way for this to appear. I don’t get how Trump supporters can say that this does not look bad on him. They can say that he did not replace Native American Heritage Month but it looks like he did or at least tried to.
Trump, in particular, has had a history with racial insensitivity towards Native Americans including calling Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas multiple times and making jokes about the Wounded Knee massacre. People, especially Native Americans, have a right to criticize this decision.
The statement from The White House oversimplifies the issue and over glorifies America. This country was taken from Native Americans through genocide. Trying to make it seem like the United States is a great country by erasing its horrible history that needs to be remembered so we do not repeat it. Acknowledging what the founders did to Native Americans can help this nation flourish into a great nation. Erasing Native American Heritage Month is like erasing the Native American culture.
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