Surprisingly, very few people know about the history of the Native American Genocide as the U.S. expanded westward.  Professor Cheyfitz makes a good point about how our U.S. history curriculum currently focuses more on slavery and equality for African Americans rather than the conflict with Native Americans and taking land that is rightfully theirs.  It is humorous to think that the U.S. created the Discovery Doctrine, which gives the “first Christian” who discovers land to lay claim to it.  It completely ignores the fact that Native Americans first discovered the U.S. and the land wasforcefully taken away from these people.

Professor Cheyfitz’s main focus in the cafe series is Native American genocide throughout history.  The U.S. government has mistreated Native Americans ranging from restricting medicine and vaccinations to sticking a needle in a Native American’s mouth while teaching them how to speak English.  Some might say that the current poor economic conditions of Native American reservations are due to U.S. government destruction of Native American culture.  Currently, 1-in-3 Native American women are raped and murder rates are huge on Indian reservations.

The mistreatment of native Americans throughout U.S. History has been ignored by the U.S. government.  Even now, very little money is given from the government to help maintain law and order on the Native American reservations.  However, one way we can reduce ignorance is to spread awareness of these events and the reasons behind these effects.  Reducing ignorance can help support Indian reservations and change the perception of Native American victimization.