The Dark History of Mount Rushmore: What It Represents and Why It Matters
The Dark History of Mount Rushmore: What It Represents and Why It Matters
Mount Rushmore is often seen as a symbol of American pride, featuring the carved faces of four U.S. presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. However, the history of this monument and the land it occupies is deeply tragic and tied to broken treaties, Indigenous displacement, and cultural erasure.
1. The Land Was Stolen from the Lakota Sioux
• The Black Hills, where Mount Rushmore is located, are sacred to the Lakota Sioux, who have lived there for centuries.
• The U.S. government signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868), which guaranteed the Black Hills to the Sioux “in perpetuity.”
• However, when gold was discovered in the region in the 1870s, the U.S. violated the treaty, took the land by force, and allowed settlers and miners to flood the area.
• In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the land was illegally taken and awarded the Sioux a $105 million settlement. The Lakota refused the money, stating that the land was never for sale and should be returned. The money remains untouched, now worth over $1 billion with interest.
2. The Monument’s Sculptor Had Ties to White Supremacy
• Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and had previously worked on the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial in Georgia, which glorifies the leaders of the Confederacy.
• Borglum saw Mount Rushmore as a way to carve white American dominance into the land, ignoring the Indigenous history of the region.
• Many Native American groups see the monument as a desecration of sacred land rather than a symbol of freedom.
3. The Faces on Mount Rushmore Represent Oppression to Indigenous Peoples
While these presidents are celebrated in mainstream U.S. history, their policies had devastating consequences for Native Americans:
• George Washington – Ordered the destruction of Native American villages during the Revolutionary War and was called the “Town Destroyer” by the Iroquois.
• Thomas Jefferson – Pushed for westward expansion, leading to displacement and suffering for Indigenous peoples.
• Abraham Lincoln – Approved the largest mass execution in U.S. history, ordering the hanging of 38 Dakota men after the Dakota War of 1862.
• Theodore Roosevelt – Believed in manifest destiny and said, “I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are.”
4. The Ongoing Struggle: Mount Rushmore as a Symbol of Resistance
For many Native Americans, Mount Rushmore remains a bitter reminder of broken promises and stolen land. Protests have been held at the site, with activists calling for the land’s return to the Lakota.
During Trump’s 2020 visit to Mount Rushmore, Lakota activists blocked roads, demanding that the U.S. honor its treaties. Many were arrested, but their message was clear: this is not just history—it’s an ongoing fight for justice.
Why It’s Important to Remember
• Historical Truth Matters – Understanding the real history of Mount Rushmore helps challenge the myths of U.S. expansion and exposes the cost of Manifest Destiny.
• Land Back Movement – The struggle over the Black Hills continues, and recognizing this history strengthens the case for land restitution.
• Respect for Indigenous Cultures – Acknowledging Mount Rushmore’s dark past is part of respecting and restoring Indigenous sovereignty.
If we don’t tell these stories, the injustices of the past will continue to shape the present. Future generations must understand that Mount Rushmore is not just a monument—it’s a symbol of a deeper, unresolved history that still demands attention.
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#MountRushmore #StolenLand #IndigenousHistory #LandBack #LakotaSioux #BrokenTreaties #Decolonize #HiddenHistory
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