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Remove the painting “The baptism of Pocahontas” from US Capitol
Created by Clarissa N.
The US capital building has a room dedicated to paintings that depict the great historical achievements of America. One of those paintings is called the “the baptism of Pocahontas” this painting depicts “Pocahontas” willingly converting over to Catholic religion. When in reality, this is far from the truth.
“Pocahontas’s” real name was Matoaka. She was 14years old when kidnapped by white Catholic settlers. She was owned by a man named John Rolfe, this man forced her hand in marriage at the age of 17-18 years old. He then raped her, and forced her to carry his child. Once Matoaka had her child she was promised to be taken back to her native home land. She boarded a ship at 19-20 years old, she died on the voyage back to America. Some historians say she died of small pox as this was a common cause of death in the 1600’s. Although some historians also say that there is a reason to believe Matoaka was poisoned by John Rolfe in retaliation. Matoaka was then buried in the UK at St. George’s church. For hundreds of years indigenous Americans have pleaded that her remains be returned to her native land so that she can receive the proper burial She deserves. Our pleads have been ignored time after time. The records showing where her remains where Buried have since perished in a church fire. Now the location of Matoaka’s remains are “unknown”.
This painting is a false representation of how history actually happened. This just goes to show Our US government takes pride in the mass genocide and forceful religious conversion us indigenous Americans had to endure. We indigenous Americans call for the removal of this painting, as it is not a accurate representation of our American history! Our true American history has been erased and continuously rewritten by the same people who have caused hundreds of years of pain and suffering.
Our voices will no longer be silenced!
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Brett Blanton
Supreme Court of the United States
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Hello, my name is (your legal name) I am calling to ask if you will support the removal of the painting “The Baptism of Pocahontas” that hangs in the US Capitol building.
This painting is an Inaccurate depiction of our American History. “Pocahontas’s” real name was Matoaka, she was kidnapped by white Catholic settlers at the age of 14. She was then forcefully converted over to Catholic religion. Matoaka was owned by a man named John Rolfe. Who forced her hand into marriage at the age of 17-18 years old. She was raped by John Rolfe and forced to carry his child to full term. After the birth of her child, she was promised to be brought back to her Native land. She died on the voyage back to America. Some Historians say she died of smallpox, is this was a very common cause of death in the 1600s. Although some historians also say that she was poisoned by John Rolfe in retaliation to wanting to go back to the land she once called home. As there is no way to prove this due to the fact that all of Matoaka’s personal diaries have been “lost” or what some historians say have been destroyed by those who once owned her in hopes to cover up their long history of abuse towards her. Her body was buried at the St. George’s Church in the United Kingdom, for hundreds of years indigenous Americans have pleated That her remains be brought back to America so that she can receive the burial her ancestors would have wanted for her. Their pleads have been ignored time and time again.
Out of respect for the remaining indigenous Americans, we ask that you remove the painting “The Baptism of Pocahontas” from the US Capitol building. This is an inaccurate depiction of America’s true history.
The fact that this painting hangs in one of America’s most powerful buildings just goes to show that the American government has no respect or sympathy for the Mass Genocide and forced religious conversion indigenous Americans had to endure for hundreds of years. We ask that you please make the effort to remove this painting that shows a false narrative of our American History.
This painting is an Inaccurate depiction of our American History. “Pocahontas’s” real name was Matoaka, she was kidnapped by white Catholic settlers at the age of 14. She was then forcefully converted over to Catholic religion. Matoaka was owned by a man named John Rolfe. Who forced her hand into marriage at the age of 17-18 years old. She was raped by John Rolfe and forced to carry his child to full term. After the birth of her child, she was promised to be brought back to her Native land. She died on the voyage back to America. Some Historians say she died of smallpox, is this was a very common cause of death in the 1600s. Although some historians also say that she was poisoned by John Rolfe in retaliation to wanting to go back to the land she once called home. As there is no way to prove this due to the fact that all of Matoaka’s personal diaries have been “lost” or what some historians say have been destroyed by those who once owned her in hopes to cover up their long history of abuse towards her. Her body was buried at the St. George’s Church in the United Kingdom, for hundreds of years indigenous Americans have pleated That her remains be brought back to America so that she can receive the burial her ancestors would have wanted for her. Their pleads have been ignored time and time again.
Out of respect for the remaining indigenous Americans, we ask that you remove the painting “The Baptism of Pocahontas” from the US Capitol building. This is an inaccurate depiction of America’s true history.
The fact that this painting hangs in one of America’s most powerful buildings just goes to show that the American government has no respect or sympathy for the Mass Genocide and forced religious conversion indigenous Americans had to endure for hundreds of years. We ask that you please make the effort to remove this painting that shows a false narrative of our American History.
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Brett Blanton
202.228.8800
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