This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/522187-rick-santorum-native-americans/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
‘Whitewashing genocide’: Rick Santorum blasted after declaring US ‘birthed from nothing’ & dismissing ‘Native American culture’ ‘Whitewashing genocide’: Rick Santorum blasted after declaring US ‘birthed from nothing’ & dismissing ‘Native American culture’
(4 months later)
Rick Santorum, a CNN contributor and former senator, is being accused of racism for declaring that the US was built “from nothing” by European settlers and saying there isn’t “much Native American culture in American culture.”Rick Santorum, a CNN contributor and former senator, is being accused of racism for declaring that the US was built “from nothing” by European settlers and saying there isn’t “much Native American culture in American culture.”
Video of Santorum speaking last week at the Standing Up For Faith & Freedom conference, hosted by the Young America’s Foundation organization, went viral on Monday as critics honed in on a specific part of the former senator’s talk.Video of Santorum speaking last week at the Standing Up For Faith & Freedom conference, hosted by the Young America’s Foundation organization, went viral on Monday as critics honed in on a specific part of the former senator’s talk.
“We birthed a nation from nothing. I mean, there was nothing here,” Santorum said. “I mean, yes we have Native Americans but candidly there isn't much Native American culture in American culture.”“We birthed a nation from nothing. I mean, there was nothing here,” Santorum said. “I mean, yes we have Native Americans but candidly there isn't much Native American culture in American culture.”
According to Santorum’s take on American history, mostly European settlers worked from a “blank slate” when coming to the US and “set up a country that was based on Judeo-Christian principles.”According to Santorum’s take on American history, mostly European settlers worked from a “blank slate” when coming to the US and “set up a country that was based on Judeo-Christian principles.”
“That’s what our founding documents are based upon. It’s in our DNA,” he said. “That’s what our founding documents are based upon. It’s in our DNA,” he said. 
Santorum was instantly blasted on social media and accused of whitewashing the “genocide of indigenous people” and ignoring Native American influence on American culture and politics.Santorum was instantly blasted on social media and accused of whitewashing the “genocide of indigenous people” and ignoring Native American influence on American culture and politics.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) even accused Santorum of being a “white supremacist” for his comments.Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) even accused Santorum of being a “white supremacist” for his comments.
“Stunningly vile,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) wrote in reaction to the clip.“Stunningly vile,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) wrote in reaction to the clip.
“Rick Santorum straight up handwaves the genocide of indigenous people,” Huffington Post editor Phillip Lewis added. “Rick Santorum straight up handwaves the genocide of indigenous people,” Huffington Post editor Phillip Lewis added. 
Some also pointed to the Iroquois Confederacy to counter Santorum’s “blank slate” point. The Confederacy was a collection of Native American tribes that banded together to avoid the growing cost of inter-tribal warfare. It is often cited as having had an influence on the US Constitution. Some also pointed to the Iroquois Confederacy to counter Santorum’s “blank slate” point. The Confederacy was a collection of Native American tribes that banded together to avoid the growing cost of inter-tribal warfare. It is often cited as having had an influence on the US Constitution. 
In 1988, the Senate passed a resolution saying the “confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy.”In 1988, the Senate passed a resolution saying the “confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy.”
Other critics added CNN to the digital firing line, citing Santorum’s long and controversial relationship with the liberal network as a political commenter.Other critics added CNN to the digital firing line, citing Santorum’s long and controversial relationship with the liberal network as a political commenter.
“Well then @cnn. Come get your nativist, revisionist, racist boy,” writer Roxane Gay tweeted. “Well then @cnn. Come get your nativist, revisionist, racist boy,” writer Roxane Gay tweeted. 
“And @CNN likes to have him on to discuss politics. I guess they feel stupid, white supremacists need a platform,” author Kimberley Johnson wrote. “And @CNN likes to have him on to discuss politics. I guess they feel stupid, white supremacists need a platform,” author Kimberley Johnson wrote. 
CNN has not officially commented on Santorum’s speech.CNN has not officially commented on Santorum’s speech.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.