Have you heard of Trail of Tears or the Indian Removal Act of 1830? Perhaps I should ask, “Did any history teacher in either your high school or college ever bother to even teach those topics to you?”
In my case, they did not. I am willing to guess that many of you never heard these tragic incidents either. American history is not always pretty, and it is not always imagery of cherry pie and fireworks on July 4th.
The Trail of Tears refers to the dislocation of America’s Native Peoples; the starvation and disease they endured while being forcibly moved from their land, and the loss of culture and connection the survivors feel to even this day.
While I intentionally try to avoid politically charged topics, and I do not dwell on political correctness in everything I write or say, minimizing the impact of a tragedy on a people is not something I am willing to overlook. Fortunately, Tod Humphries, the principal at Mc Adory High School in Mc Calla, Alabama and Jefferson (Alabama) County Board of Education Superintendent Stephen Nowlin are not willing to overlook and minimize such tragedy either.
In an online article by Sam Gardner for Fox News (November 20, 2013), entitled: ”Team’s ‘Trail of Tears’ Banner Sparks Outcry,” we are introduced to the decision, apparently by the cheerleading squad, to taunt a rival school by putting up a banner saying “Trail of Tears.” However, we must put it into a context.
The team they were playing was the Pinson Valley High “Indians.”
What it says
This is the other side of the anti-politically correct arguments who would say we are “all” being too sensitive. It is an ethical steamroller. The attitude is one of “our comments about you are correct, but your comments are not valid.” I am quite sure that many Native Americans would not find the banner to be hilarious especially in regard to a team named the “Indians.” To their credit, the principal and the superintendent did not find the hilarity in it either.
To be fair – to a point – the teacher responsible for approving signs and banners was out on maternity leave and so the school should not be completely blamed. It is, though, a thin argument for it leaves me to question who was organizationally responsible for filling in for the teacher? It indicates a flaw in administration policy.
Before I move onto correct ethical responses, I wonder how the students were instructed about the “Trail of Tears,” and who on the cheerleading squad thought it was funny. I remain critical of how so many children, teenagers and even adults are slowly losing their sense of empathy.
We can blame the social media (it’s an easy target) or we can look to those who raise and teach these students. This blog of mine is filled with examples of people committing not only unethical actions but unfeeling, spiritually dead, high self-centered actions. Fortunately, others see this lack of empathy as well.
According to the article, the superintendent issued the following statement:
“The cheerleading squad will be disciplined. The sponsor of the cheerleaders was on maternity leave and the sign was not approved in advance by the school administration. The principal is asking all social studies teachers to teach each grade a lesson about the real Trail of Tears. We can use this unfortunate event as an important teachable moment. We apologize to all Native Americans and to any person who was offended. Our curriculum department will ensure that all students in the future will have a lesson on the Trail of Tears.”
Make it stick, sir
I cautiously applaud the superintendent, but only if there is action and not gratuitous lip service. By all means, have consequences for actions. Teach the truth. Hold people accountable and maybe explain to students that while extra-curricular activities are important, neither cheerleading nor football is “life.” Sometimes real life brings real tears.
I can hear some parents protesting the principal and superintendent and some students declaring it all unfair, but perhaps, just perhaps, some will “get it” as well. That is my ethical hope.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!
As a white, male 73 year old American, I am familiar with the Trail of Tears and the unfair treatment of Native Americans. I am offended by the trivial and callous reference to an American tragedy in such a condescending matter. A teacher may not have been present to supervise, and the Administration may well have been unaware beforehand, but SOMEONE (either student or adult) knew enough of the historical incident to make such an insult and was confident that there would be an adequate number of viewers to understand the connection. That makes it even more shameful! Ignorance can be excused; insensitivity to suffering cannot.