The TRAIL OF TEARS, along with slavery, were episodes in America’s history that are its shame. In the 1830’s, under Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act, forced relocation and removal of Native Americans from the southeastern United States to what is the present-day state of Oklahoma took place. Removal of the Choctaw Nation (Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, and Choctaw) resulted in 4,000 out of 15,000 Cherokee dead due to hunger, exhaustion, and disease. I’ve visited the Trail of Tears State Park in Jackson, Missouri. The memorial site overlooks the Mississippi River, where 13 Cherokee Indian groups crossed in the dead of winter. Historians today classify the “Trail of Tears” “Genocide.” Still, ironically, many consider President Andrew Jackson a hero and one of the greater presidents. He graces the $20 bill, which understandably many Native Americans refuse to use. American expansion into the West furthered destruction. The buffalo/bison population was decimated in the Plains resulting in starvation and disease for Native Americans. In the Pacific Northwest, home to the Nez Perce Indians, horses were slaughtered as well as people. Forced food deprivation among people leading to disease, death, and extinction is “Genocide.” August 2011: Genocide Continues Drought, famine, death, and destruction are taking their toll in Ogaden, home to ethnic Muslim Somali who live in eastern Ethiopia. Livestock carcass spread throughout the land paving the way to increased disease. Apart from the natural drought disaster and resulting famine permeating the Horn of Africa, there is a man-made culprit taking even more innocent lives in Ogaden. The United States, Great Britain and other international governments financially aid and support the Christian Ethiopian Government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (Please see my blog earlier this week for more background information.) diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/why-ogaden-isnt-in-the-news-is-the-wool-being-pulled-over-our-eyes-by-susan-sacirbey/33764 Yet, the Zenawi Government has imposed a food and media blockade on Ogaden. Why do we support this Government? Is Zenawi the new Andrew Jackson? This graphic video presented on YouTube “Denan Then & Now” (Ogaden Genocide in Accelerating CNN iReport) www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgYvSwqtF9c describes the horrific conditions at Denan, a camp of 7,000 displaced persons in Ogaden. There is no food, no water, few supplies. There is an abundance of starving people and their livestock. Images of refugees struggling en route to Denan, along with their camels, goats, and sheep, only to lose family members –-children and mothers, are reminiscent of “The Trail of Tears.” Catastrophically, Genocide is repeating itself …this time, for the Ogaden people. It is greater humanity’s shame. ---By, Susan Sacirbey Become a Fan on Facebook: “Diplomatically Incorrect” and “Diplomat Artist” Follow on TWITTER @ DiplomaticallyX Related Film & Blog Reports: “Millions at Risk in the Horn of Africa – Hunger, Conflict & Starvation,” By Ambassador Mo diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/millions-at-risk-in-horn-of-africa-hunger-conflict-starvation-by-ambassador-mo/30697 “Worse to Come – Cow Herds Starving to Death,” By Ambassador Mo diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/worse-to-come-cow-herds-starving-to-death-by-ambassador-mo/28806 (Satire) “US Apologize to Native Americans?” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/us-apologize-to-native-americans/22264 Humanitarian Channels: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/humanitarian War Crimes Justice Channels: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice Diplomatically Incorrect Channels: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/diplomatically-incorrect