American history did not begin with White Europeans, Rick Santorum
“There was nothing here. I mean, yes we have Native Americans but candidly there isn’t much Native American culture in American culture. We came here and created a blank slate, we birthed a nation from nothing.”
These are the words former US Senator Rick Santorum said at the Young America’s Foundation’s summit on April 24th. Speaking to those attending the conservative group’s event, Santorum said what many Americans believe privately: history in America began when White Europeans arrived. It’s a blatant attempt to marginalize indigenous groups and whitewash the eradication of Native American populations and culture.
I’ve written recently on how important it is that history be portrayed truthfully. Just because the truth may not be pretty or paint some groups in the best light, it must be documented correctly. Not doing so would be a disservice to those affected by the acts some wish to forget.
It’s sad to say, but this type of dismissive language is nothing new. It’s the same type of rhetoric that was used when early Americans sought to expand into Native American lands. The indigenous peoples were seen as uncouth nuisances who needed to be done away with. In the list of grievances outlined in the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States, it says:
“(King George III) has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
This was written in the same document that famously states that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”. It was written by the same men who allowed slave trade to go on for another century. Perhaps “all men” did not mean “all” men.
In 1830, over five decades after the Declaration of Independence was written, President Andrew Jackson signed into law the Indian Removal Act. When the act was passed, President Jackson spoke before Congress and said the law would “perhaps cause (Native Americans) gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.”
The act eventually led to approximately 100,000 Native American being forced to march to new lands in Oklahoma. Thousands died on the forced marches, now known as the Trail of Tears, of starvation, exposure, and various diseases.
Santorum is just another in a long line of politicians who perpetuates the idea of the Great White Savior. If not for the civilized, genteel influence of White Europeans, the dirty “savages” of the New World would have destroyed one another long ago. We people of color should all count ourselves lucky that we have been saved from ourselves and are allowed to live in the enlightened society provided for us.
Let us forget about the fact that every November, Americans celebrate a holiday commemorating Native Americans assisting Pilgrims in surviving a harsh winter. And we can forget the fact that many American words come from Native American language, including barbecue, chipmunk, hammock, skunk, hurricane, and moccasin. I’m sure it’s not important that an estimated 60% of the current world food supply originated in North America from crops first cultivated by Native Americans.
If people like Rick Santorum had their way, we would certainly dismiss these contributions and continue to marginalize Native American people. Thankfully, Santorum is in charge of absolutely nothing outside of being the token conservative on CNN. And the influence of people like him is waning, as evidenced by the confirmation of Deb Haaland as the first Native American to serve as Secretary of the Interior.
