On November 27th, 2017 I woke up just like any other normal morning. I got dressed and headed out to commute to campus before sunrise. It was a normal day just like any other until I went on the internet and saw “Donald Trump” trending again on Facebook. In my head, the first thing I thought was, “What did he say now?” So, I clicked on the news video link and what I witnessed not only offended me but deeply upset me. What the video showed was three elderly, Navajo Code Talkers standing right next to Trump.
As a Navajo, I wondered, “What are y’all doing standing next to Trump?”
Then I read in the news article below the video that Trump invited these veterans to honor them.
Ok, this cannot be that bad. But then I saw the Andrew Jackson portrait painting behind the podium and directly between our Navajo Code Talkers and Trump. As a History Major and a proud member of the Navajo Nation, it is crucial that we know the dark history of our former president Andrew Jackson. Many do not know that he signed the Indian Removal Act, which led to the land removal of thousands of Native Americans. You may have heard of the Trail of Tears.
Yeah, President Andrew Jackson did that. Holding this ceremony in front of that portrait was an insult in itself. I knew right then and there, it was going to go downhill from there.
The three Navajo Code Talker Veterans, right next to Trump, appeared very grateful for the opportunity to be recognized at the white house, but the insult that Trump said in front of these three men was entirely unnecessary, yet adds to the idea that Native Americans are nothing more than a joke to be made.
He told these men they were very special people, yet he decided to put in a racial slur, referring to Senator Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas."
Now, what exactly is wrong with calling someone Pocahontas? Well, first of all, Pocahontas is mostly known in the present day as a Disney character, but remember she was a real human being. In fact, Pocahontas was the daughter of a Tsenacommacah Chief back in the late sixteenth century to the early seventeenth century. She was far more than a Disney character, she held a great power in her tribe and was very diplomatic. Trying to insult someone and calling them "Pocahontas" is also disrespectful to Pocahontas.
That being said, Trump’s racial slur can be seen as an ignorant view of Native Americans as a whole, that we belong in the past. He didn’t bring up a present Native American to add to his terrible joke, he chose to use someone from the past. His use of Pocahontas proves that he has no idea about present-day Indigenous peoples across the United States. And to call out someone while honoring Native American veterans is beyond disrespectful.
If the three men were Caucasian, do you think Trump would have cracked some jokes that would possibly offend these veterans? I don't think so. Again, after insulting these three Navajo veterans, Trump tries to backpedal saying they are so important and special people. That is true, these men fought for our country. They deserve just as much respect as any other veteran at a ceremony.
In conclusion, I'd like everyone to remember that no matter what a president says about Native Americans, we will still be here. For every racist joke about a Native American, there is an Indigenous youth proving them wrong. We are above the ignorance and will continue to strive to be recognized in society.
