Perpetuating Inequity: Misuse of Native American History

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Summary:
The image depicted above shows a group of cheerleaders holding up a sign with the words “Hey Indians Get Ready for A Trail of TEARS Part 2.” In the top right hand corner of the sign, a drawing of a single blue eye, with a red tear is visible. The sign is at the forefront of the photo and in the background a marching band is visible. The name “Indians” is in reference to the opposing team. The photo shows that both the cheerleaders and the marching band are on a football field. There appears to be several members of the team holding up the banner while the rest are seen standing nearby or possibly running onto the field. The marching band is seen facing away from the sign.
Thesis:
This image of a high school cheerleading team holding
Despite the fact that the Trail of Tears occurred over 178 years ago (1838-1839) it is still used as a reminder to the Native American population that the inequity that existed almost two centuries ago still persists today (Ridnor). As a product of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Native American population was forced to migrate thousands of miles across the United States, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 4,000 people (Ridnor). The creators of the banner in the image seen above purposely chose the imagery associated with the Trail of Tears to get a negative reaction out of the opposing team with little regard to the Native American population that suffered from this historic
Native Americans have the highest poverty rates, and are the lowest income wage workers (Ridnor). According to the fluid competitive group model, the secondary labor market consists of low paying and status jobs, job insecurity, low-skilled, and low mobility, of which Native Americans are grossly overrepresented (Healey and O’Brien 139-140). Because this is a group that lacks the resources to mobilize a global community to lobby against discriminatory practices (like the one pictured above), little has been done to change the way American society views the Native population as a

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