Introduction
“Our country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty” are the popular words of an American ballad that stirs feelings of pride and reinforces the American Dream. This popular anthem strengthens principles of freedom, justice, and a shared value of the American countryside. However, the idea of who qualifies as “American” has been questionable since the day Europeans arrived. In the years following, informal and formal laws defined American citizenship, which has shifted frequently. Africans, Native Americans, women, future European immigrants and other groups of people are alike in that they have been legally written out of American citizenship throughout history. As time progressed, disenfranchised people living on American territory began to demand the rights and privileges outlined in American policies, laws, and referenced in patriotic songs. Though formal laws changed to include more groups, the dark stain of past abuses still impedes progress in securing equal rights and protections for all previously oppressed groups. Native Americans are a group of people impacted by the slow evolvement of the law and mindsets.
Throughout the Americas, Native Americans have suffered many cruelties as a result of the arrival of Europeans. Native Americans have been captured and used as slaves. Homelands have been looted and pillaged. Natives have been forced to relinquish lands they have held for centuries.1 While there were instances of cooperation during colonial period, the policy of removal was a monumental injustice. American laws and policies led to a series of rebellions, battles, and massacres that resulted in division and mistrust.2 The massacres include the much publicized Wounded Knee, while the Trail of Tears is a removal that is frequently referenced. These same policies continue to divide and lead to mistrust today.
Minority students living in Washington, D.C. will connect to the mistrust that American Indians have for the U.S. government and policy makers. Locally, there are policies regarding fair housing that have left many families homeless. Displaced residents received promises that they would be able to return to communities they were asked to leave due to housing complexes being sold, torn down and rebuilt. However, many students and families are finding that the housing is not available at the same rates. In fact, in most instances the cost of housing doubled. Organizations such as the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) have rallied to help displaced residents. WIN empowers families, who have lived in respective neighborhoods for generations, to petition city representatives to acknowledge and extend fair housing laws.
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