Trail of Tears: A legacy of institutionalized racism rooted in broken promises and stolen lands
By Dwanna L. McKay, Assistant Professor of Race, Ethnicity, and Indigenous Studies, Colorado College Some Oklahomans are expressing trepidation about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that much of the eastern part of the state belongs to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. They wonder whether they must now pay taxes to or be governed by the Muscogee. In alarmist language, Senator Ted Cruz of neighboring Texas tweeted that the Supreme Court “just gave away half of Oklahoma, literally. Manhattan is next.” In fact, the landmark July 9 decision applies only to criminal law. It gives federal and tribal courts jurisdiction over...
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