“Trail of Tears” Signs Mocking Genocide at Multiple High Schools Point to Epidemic of Racism and Insensitivity Against Native Americans, By Danielle Miller
Another situation occurred where Native Americans are being mocked. There was no way that people could justify it because it was a blatant act of racism against Native Americans. A breakthrough sign at a McAdory High School football game stated: “Hey Indians get ready to leave in a trail of tears. Round 2”.
McAdory High School “Trail of Tears” Sign in Alabama
An estimated 2,000-6,000 Cherokee died of exposure, starvation, and disease, during the ethnic cleansing event now known as the Trail of Tears. The Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole, and Choctaw Tribes were also forcibly from their homelands during the Trail of Tears, an act of genocide endorsed and initiated by the Federal government through the Indian Removal Act of 1930.
McAdory students continue to tweet defending the banner, attempting to minimize the apology released by administrators, and in turn, the genocide that happened to Native Americans. Some even have the gull to say “they aren’t sorry,” and brag about being famous.
Tweets from McAdory High School students posted after an apology was issued
McAdory student tweets posted after an apology was issued
The following night, another photo was shared by a different tumblr user from the opposing team. The user posted a link to the other post and said it inspired them to share their own picture. The picture included was yet another sign, which says “Trail of Tears” being held up by a large crowd at a football game. If this was in fact a second sign at McAdory, it really demonstrates the neglect of administrators. Some users on twitter have denied that the sign was shown at McAdory but have not shown any evidence which disproves the blogger’s claims. Regardless of whether it was McAdory, the photo still needs to be shared to show this is a nationwide issue.
Another ‘Trail of Tears’ sign at a High School football game
Then YET ANOTHER instance of mocking the trail of tears emerged from a Tennessee school, on the Dyersburg football facebook page. The album contained two photos with a sign saying “Trail of Tears”.
Another ‘Trail of Tears’ sign in Dyersburg Tennessee
How could anyone think that mocking genocide is acceptable in any context? I don’t understand how thought processes can be so disconnected. Football games are not a place where racism gets to be excused. People certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to mock 9/11, Hiroshima, or the Holocaust. If there was a sign about lynching at a football game it wouldn’t be a joke. Even some black people with the shared history of oppression defend the issue and basically deem Native Americans unimportant. Why is the genocide and continued marginalization of Native Americans considered to be a “joke”? Has America devolved back to the era of Assimilation and Termination of Natives?