In one of the most racist, xenophobic and downright ignorant statements made by Republicans regarding the current Asylum Seekers crisis, New York State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello (R -145th Niagara Falls) on WBEN last Sunday compared it to giving Native Americans blankets infected with Smallpox:
“…Yes, we are immigrants because this was owned by the natives. We pushed them out. We annihilated them. We gave them blankets with disease in them, which is kind of like if you think about it, those coming in illegally without addressing the medications are bringing in diseases…”
The use of infected blankets against Native Americans is a dark chapter in American history. It is a reminder of the violence and oppression that Native Americans have faced at the hands of settlers.
There is a historical account of American settlers giving Native Americans blankets that were infested with smallpox. This was done intentionally as a way to spread the disease and kill Native Americans.
The spread of smallpox among Native Americans had a devastating impact on their population. Millions of Native Americans died from the disease, and many tribes were decimated. The use of smallpox as a weapon against Native Americans was a cruel and inhumane act that had a lasting impact on their communities.
