In the annals of American history, there are chapters that are more comfortable to revisit than others. The period of westward expansion, for instance, is often romanticized as a heroic tale of Manifest Destiny, in which brave pioneers ventured into the unknown to build a new nation. But the reality was far more complex and far more brutal, especially for the Native Americans who were already living on the land..
A new podcast from Lemonada Media, American Genocide, aims to shed light on this dark chapter in American history. Hosted by Crystal Echo Hawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, the podcast tells the stories of the many Native American tribes who were forcibly removed from their land and subjected to violence and oppression..
Echo Hawk, who is also the founder and executive director of IllumiNative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Native American visibility, brings a deeply personal perspective to the podcast. In the first episode, she shares her own family’s experience of being forced to leave their land in Nebraska in the 1800s..
Echo Hawk’s voice is just one of many that are featured on American Genocide. The podcast also includes interviews with historians, Native American activists, and descendants of those who survived the genocide. Together, they paint a vivid and often harrowing picture of what happened during this period of American history..
One of the most striking things about American Genocide is how it forces listeners to confront the uncomfortable truth about the United States’ treatment of Native Americans. The podcast doesn’t shy away from the violence and brutality that was inflicted on Native American tribes. It also doesn’t shy away from the racism and white supremacy that motivated much of the genocide..
American Genocide is a difficult listen at times, but it is also an important one. It is a reminder that the history of the United States is not always pretty, and that there are still many scars from the past that have yet to be healed..
The podcast has been praised by critics for its unflinching look at American history. The New York Times called it .
