Whether they do it or we do it, it's wrong to use the name of Pocahontas as a joke

[pnwmom]

Last edited Sun May 12, 2019, 09:52 PM - Edit history (1)

or as a weapon. Or to use a "play on words" involving her name, or to hit Trump back with such a joke. To do so is to use Native Americans in our partisan politics, and they don't want their ancestors, culture, or history to be employed as a political joke or a weapon.

Bill Maher was wrong (as he often is). Please don't compound his mistake.

From the National Congress of American Indians:

https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/archive/ncai-condemns-president-trump-s-derogatory-use-of-pocahontas--KArFACFlku_jlYnYVYNHg/

“NCAI is a bi-partisan organization that works equitably with both sides of the political aisle, and it is not our common practice to comment on the partisan name calling that has come to dominate American politics,” said NCAI Executive Director Jacqueline Pata in the official release. “But we cannot and will not stand silent when our Native ancestors, cultures, and histories are used in a derogatory manner for political gain.”

Pocahontas is a “well-known historical Native figure” that has been turned into a derogatory term. The NCAI release states that, “in fact, the cultural misappropriation of Native American cultures and traditions unfortunately was a common occurrence during the 2016 election season, with multiple attacks by candidates and their surrogates during debates, rallies, and live broadcast appearances.”