CNN anchor Victor Blackwell used his Saturday morning show to attack one of America’s most sacred founding documents, calling the Declaration of Independence “soiled with a slur” against Native Americans.
The segment aired as Americans prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4.
Blackwell focused on a specific passage in the Declaration’s list of grievances against King George III, which states that the king “has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
The host told viewers it is important to remember that the Declaration contains this “slur.”
Blackwell admitted he was not familiar with that section until recently and stressed the need for more people to acknowledge what he described as historical racism against Native Americans.
Native American activist and writer Rebecca Nagle joined the segment as a guest and criticized the idea of celebrating the Declaration’s “lofty ideals” without also confronting what she called the founders’ “deep hatred for indigenous people.”
Nagle suggested that many Native Americans have difficulty embracing the anniversary because of the country’s history with indigenous tribes.
Hellbound and Down 