Standoff Between Native American Man and Young Trump Supporter -Cleo Chaney

Original Article: https://www.npr.org/2019/01/21/687134573/differing-narratives-after-standoff-between-native-american-man-high-school-stud

There were three groups demonstrating at the Lincoln Memorial in DC, two of which converged in a viral moment between a Catholic school junior participating in the “March for Life” (the anti-abortion march) and a well-known Native American elder & activist David Phillips, part of the Indigenous People’s March. In a video that has circulated the media, Phillips marches up to the students, attempting to get to the top the stairs, singing a song and drumming, and while all of the other students moved, Sandmann stayed where he was.

 A lot of people on the internet viewed Sandmann’s defiant stance and facial expression as mocking the man, and that was my first impression of the situation, too. However the boy has gone on to say that he was not being hateful. “‘I have been called every name in the book, including a racist, and I will not stand for this mob-like character assassination of my family’s name.’” Oh dear. The article goes on to quote him saying that he did not know why he was “singled out” by the elder.

Personally, I think that is an awfully naïve thing to say. People who are being called out for a thing they are doing are often so quick to say “Oh, what is it you see so wrong with me?” They are instantly defensive, already beyond listening. I’m sure David Phillips and all of the other protestors who, according to the Catholic students, said offensive things to them had no problem with the existence of these boys; they have little clue as to who they are as people say to day. What they are against is their MAGA hats—what they’re against is Trump, someone who has no respect for their existence. The hat has become a hate symbol because of the person it represents, and going out wearing it means you’re showing support for a man and by extension for his racist, sexist beliefs, which is going to offend and anger a lot of people. Trump supporters shouldn’t be surprised if they’re met with resistance  (non-violent, of course) when sporting their gear.

When people see the video of this interaction, they’re presented with a Native American man surrounded by laughing (jeering?) white boys. This, of course, conjures up impressions of the past—Americas history riddled with white people devastating native communities. The closing of the West was essentially the end of any Native American autonomy in America. Forced into reservations, their children abused in forced schooling & assimilation, the indigenous people of this country held onto what little they had left and have kept their cultures alive all these years since, only to continue to be treated badly by the government and other Americans. I hope that people can learn to respect and appreciate Native American cultures rather than mock them.