by T. Mayheart Dardar / February 26th, 2017
As I contemplate the state of the American psyche thirty days into the Donald Trump administration I am amazed at the breath of difference between the divergent camps of supporters and detractors. Watching the growing gulf between left and right over the last few decades I’ve seen any vestige of an American political identity consumed in the twin fires of the liberal and conservative camps. Loyalty to party over country has found its ultimate manifestation in the election of a woefully unqualified reality television star to the highest political office in the western world.
Please, however, do not mistake my astonishment over this political carnival for any form of sympathy. Watching the show from Indian Country, with our particular perspectives and insights, inspires little in the way of nostalgia or loyalty. Of course, there is no single monolithic native point of view; while I find a perverse pleasure in watching an electorate so quickly consumed with buyer’s remorse I have to admit that there are thousands of native people happily laying claim to this particular circus.
Sadly I have to admit that there are many in my own tribe who willingly cast their ballot for team red, enthusiastically believing whatever assimilated logic that excused their choice. I thought about these voters a couple of weeks ago when Mr. Trump decorated the wall of the oval office with a portrait of Andrew Jackson, wondering if they even…