Trump’s Nativism vs. Native Americans
Trump’s Nativism vs. Native Americans
— by David Eugene Perry
“Undeclaring” Indigenous Peoples Day is so typical of Trump’s mono dimensional thinking, and of course, a slap not only against First Peoples, but also a middle finger to Joe Biden. It’s also a back of the hand to everyone in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley and our rich Indigenous heritage. Literally, our city was built on Tribal Land.
In San Francisco and other cities with historic roots in Italy, Columbus Day is a huge celebration, known as Italian Heritage Day. Also, for Spain — who launched Columbus’ voyages of discovery — it marks that country’s national day: also a point of pride. I take part in both observances, but am also acutely aware of the dichotomies. History is not a pop-up book of only pretty pictures.
However, to also note the contributions of, and suppression of, Native Peoples by additionally making it Indigenous Peoples Day allows for something this administration seems hell bent on destroying: the truthful, and yes often painful discussion of our history— as a world, a hemisphere, a country, a nation. It IS possible for education to walk and chew gum at the same time. We can hold two facts together in our brains without our cerebrums exploding.
Trump’s action has nothing to do with “saluting the rich heritage of Italian Americans”, and everything to do with his insatiable appetite for revenge on a diet of ignorance and nastiness. It’s his only menu.
For 1492, the case can be made of a world unbridged by discovery, cultural diversity and education. For 2025, and a planet spanned by centuries of experience and education, we have no excuse. Trump’s only span is a short attention one, and the only thing he does with bridges, is burn them.