On Monday, President Donald Trump referred to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren as “Pocohantas” at a ceremony to honor the Native Americans who served to win World War II. Mr. Trump welcomed the three Navajo code talkers from World War II to the Oval Office. He deemed them “incredible” and “very special people.”
It is not the first time Donald Trump has mocked Massachusetts Senator’s claims of being Native American.
“You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas,” Trump said to the code talkers, who were Native Americas and devised and used a code based on their native languages (Navajo, Seminole and Choctaw), a code that was unbroken by the Japanese during World War II.
Although the term code talkers is closely associated with the Navajo men who were honored for their service in World War II, Native Americans of various tribes were implementable in securing several U.S. victories in both world wars through their use of language.
Pocohantas, according to historical reports, was a Native American teenager who saved the life of one of the first English colonists in present Virginia. The Disney animation created in 1995 contributed to Pocohontas’ popularity.
Trump has used the name to disparage Warren, well known for her consumer protection policies. In the past, Warren has claimed she was 1/32 Cherokee according to stories narrated to her by both her parents and grandparents.
https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/741774067368402945?lang=en
Trump last used the term ‘Pocohontas’ to describe Warren on November 3, a few days into the National Native American Heritage Month.
The use of Pocohontas is deemed controversial amongst Native American. A great number of people also regard Disney’s portrayal and use of the historical figure as something incredibly degrading.
Ms. Warren quickly spoke out against Mr Trump’s comments.
“This was supposed to be an event to honor heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country, who, because of their incredible work, saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies,” Ms Warren later told MSNBC.
