As the media firestorm begins to die down regarding Sen. Elizabeth Warren, it’s all too clear to Native Americans that the damage has been done. In perhaps the worst possible political stunt I’ve seen in a while, Sen. Warren decided to take a DNA test to prove that somewhere in her lineage there is Native American blood. This was done solely to counter claims from President Donald Trump that Warren has been falsely claiming to be Native American. This very public exchange between American politicians is not only embarrassing, but offensive to people indigenous to the United States.
The idea that one can prove Native American heritage by simply taking a DNA test is preposterous. Elizabeth Warren is about as Native American as every other white person coming to the defense of racism by claiming a “Cherokee grandma.” In fact, a quick glance through video blogs on YouTube shows that many people have random percentages of Native American—and even African—appear on DNA tests. Sen. Warren doesn’t belong to any tribe or community of Native Americans. None that claim her anyway. In fact, the Cherokee nation released an official statement condemning her actions.
The childish battle between Sen. Warren and President Trump is completely uncalled for in 2018. Elizabeth Warren is not Native American. I don’t care how many tests she takes, stories she tells, or Ivy Leagues she’s attended. President Trump would benefit greatly by inviting First Nations to the White House for dialogue, or even visiting Indian Reservations in the United States to hear and address concerns. Also, Pocahontas was an actual historical figure and using her name as an insult needs to stop.
There are currently many issues plaguing the Native American community that need to be addressed on a national level. If Elizabeth Warren cared so much about Native Americans, those issues wouldn’t take a backseat to her political shenanigans. I’d rather see a video montage bringing awareness to missing and murdered indigenous women than watch Elizabeth Warren talk about her racist grandparents. I’d rather see Warren promoting activists and organizations that support missing and murdered indigenous women on her own free will. Not as a side note to a so-called challenge brought on by President Trump.
By presenting this test, I’m sure Sen. Warren was expecting nationwide praise and several invitations to traditional powwows across Indian Country. Even after being called out by several authentic Native Americans, Warren still didn’t acknowledge her error or the negative impact her stunt has had on the Native community. While some have embraced the act as a slap in the face to President Trump, most of us resent being used as political ammunition.
Perpetuating the notion that Native identity lies in DNA tests has caused severe backlash to Sen. Warren and shows exactly why American politics needs a shakeup. The establishment is full of politicians so out-of-touch that they don’t understand First Nations people or even how social media works. No test can be administered to measure the identity of Native Americans or even our heritage and Elizabeth Warren can’t sit with us.
