Rachel Evans
In January 2019, videos emerged of students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky mocking Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The videos sparked widespread criticism and led to accusations of racism and intolerance. While some of the students, including Nick Sandmann, denied any disrespect and claimed they felt threatened by a group of black street preachers, others interpreted their actions as mocking and disrespectful towards the Native Americans, including Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder and Vietnam War veteran. The incident sparked discussions about the marginalization and disrespect of Indigenous peoples, with some blaming the students' actions on flawed faith formation and catechism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | 18 January 2019 |
| Location | Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. |
| People Involved | Nick Sandmann, Nathan Phillips, Covington Catholic High School students |
| Nature of Incident | Students allegedly mocking Native Americans |
| Responses | Sandmann denied disrespect, Phillips offered to visit the school, the school and diocese apologized |
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What You'll Learn
Students from Covington Catholic High School mocked Native Americans
On January 18, 2019, in Washington, D.C., students from Covington Catholic High School were captured on video mocking a group of Native Americans, including Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder and Vietnam War veteran. The students, who were in Washington for an anti-abortion rally, were seen wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and chanting a faux Native American chant used by sports teams. The crowd laughed and shouted, with one student standing in front of Phillips, staring and grinning. The Covington Catholic officials and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington condemned the students' actions and apologized for the incident, which sparked widespread criticism and accusations of racism and intolerance.
While some interpreted the students' behavior as disrespectful and hateful, Nick Sandmann, one of the Covington Catholic students at the center of the incident, defended his actions. Sandmann stated that he had every right to be there and that he was not disrespectful to Phillips. He claimed that he was trying to stay calm and keep the peace in a volatile situation. Sandmann also denied being racist and asserted that his school does not tolerate racism.
Phillips, a Native American activist, explained that he intervened between the students and a group of black street preachers who were shouting racist insults at both the Native Americans and the white students. He has offered to visit Covington Catholic High School to lead a dialogue about cultural understanding, an offer that Sandmann has said he would like to accept.
The incident has sparked discussions about the marginalization and disrespect of Indigenous peoples and the need for cultural understanding and tolerance. While some have blamed the students' actions on flawed faith formation and catechism, others have defended the students, arguing that they were misunderstood and that the video snippets were taken out of context.
Overall, the incident involving the students from Covington Catholic High School and Native American activists has brought attention to important issues of racism, intolerance, and the marginalization of Indigenous communities. The incident has prompted apologies, reflections, and calls for improved cultural understanding and respect.
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Students wore Make America Great Again hats
In January 2019, videos emerged showing students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky mocking Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial. The students had travelled to Washington for an anti-abortion rally. In the videos, the students can be seen clapping along to the drumbeat of Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder, before the situation turns confrontational. One student, in particular, has come under scrutiny for wearing a Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat while standing in front of Phillips, staring and grinning.
MAGA hats first became popular during Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, when he popularized the use of the phrase "Make America Great Again" and frequently wore the hats emblazoned with the slogan. Since then, the hats have become a symbol of support for Trump and his politics. While some view the hats as a form of protected political speech, others see them as a symbol of racism and intolerance.
The student in question, Nick Sandmann, has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he was not disrespectful to Phillips. He stated that he respects Phillips and would like to speak with him. Sandmann cited his Catholic faith and said that he tries to live out its ideals, including being respectful of others and avoiding conflict or violence. However, many have interpreted the students' behavior as mocking and disrespectful to the Native American community.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism and debate. The Catholic Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School have both issued apologies. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati also criticized the students' actions, calling the incident "unfortunate and regrettable." Native American activists and allies gathered outside the diocese to protest the students' behavior. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), the first Native American woman elected to Congress, decried the students' actions as "blatant hate, disrespect, and intolerance."
The incident has brought attention to the marginalization and disrespect of Indigenous peoples and the need for cultural understanding and dialogue. Phillips has offered to visit Covington Catholic High School to lead a conversation about cultural understanding, which Sandmann has said he would like to participate in.
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Students shouted faux Native American chants
On January 20, 2019, a group of students from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky, were captured on video mocking a Native American activist, Nathan Phillips, outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The students were in Washington for an anti-abortion rally and had gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
In the video, the students can be seen clapping along to the drumbeat of Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder, who was singing and playing the drum in a prayer to defuse tensions. The moment quickly escalated as the students began mocking Phillips by shouting a faux Native American chant used by the Atlanta Braves and other sports teams. One student, in particular, donning a Make America Great Again hat, stood in front of Phillips, staring and grinning, while the crowd laughed, shouted, and clapped along.
The incident sparked widespread criticism, with the Catholic school and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati issuing apologies and condemning the students' behavior. Nick Sandmann, one of the students involved, denied any disrespect and claimed he was trying to stay calm and keep the peace. He stated that he respected Phillips and would like to speak with him.
The incident also brought attention to past instances of student harassment towards Native Americans, including a separate incident involving Nathan Phillips in 2015, where Eastern Michigan University students allegedly threw a beer can at him and shouted racial slurs. The situation highlighted the marginalization and disrespect endured by Indigenous peoples and the need for cultural understanding and sensitivity.
While the students denied any intentional mockery or racist intent, the incident underscores the complex dynamics of racial relations in the United States and the ongoing struggle for equality and respect for Native Americans.
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The Catholic Diocese of Covington apologised
On January 22, 2019, protestors gathered outside the Catholic Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, after videos emerged of students from Covington Catholic High School appearing to mock Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial. The diocese issued an apology and promised to take appropriate action, including the possibility of expulsion.
In the videos, the students can be seen clapping along to the drumbeat of Nathan Phillips, an Omaha elder and Native American activist. The situation quickly escalated, with the students mocking Phillips by shouting a faux Native American chant and heckling him as he continued to drum. One student in particular, identified as Nick Sandmann, stood in front of Phillips, grinning and staring at him. Sandmann has since stated that he wasn't being disrespectful and was trying to stay calm under the circumstances. He also cited his Catholic faith, saying that he tries to live out its ideals, including being respectful of others.
The incident occurred after the students attended the annual March for Life, an anti-abortion protest, in Washington, D.C. Phillips, a member of Nebraska's Omaha tribe, was in town celebrating Indigenous People's Day and was defending a group called the Black Hebrew Israelites, who were exchanging taunts with the students.
The Catholic Diocese of Covington's apology acknowledged that the incident had ""tainted the entire witness of the March for Life" and expressed sincere apologies to all those who attended the march and supported the pro-life movement. The diocese also stated that the students' behaviour was "opposed to the Church's teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person."
In addition to the diocese's apology, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati also criticized the students' actions, and Covington Catholic High School officials launched an investigation into the incident. The school faced security concerns and closed temporarily due to threats made against the students and school community.
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Nick Sandmann denied being disrespectful
In January 2019, videos emerged showing students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky mocking Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial. The videos sparked widespread outrage and led to accusations of racism and disrespect towards the Native American activists.
At the center of the controversy was Nick Sandmann, a Covington Catholic High School student who was recorded standing face-to-face with Nathan Phillips, a 64-year-old Native American activist and elder. Sandmann wore a "Make America Great Again" hat during the encounter and was accused of "smirking" disrespectfully at Phillips.
However, Sandmann denied being disrespectful and claimed that he was trying to stay calm and diffuse the situation. He stated that he had every right to be there and that he respected Phillips. In an interview with "Today," Sandmann said:
> "As far as standing there, I had every right to do so. My position is that I was not disrespectful to Mr. Phillips. I respect him. I'd like to talk to him... But I can't say that I'm sorry for listening to him and standing there."
Sandmann also addressed the criticism of his facial expression, saying that he saw it as a smile indicating his refusal to become aggressive. He added that he did not want to walk away as he did not want to seem disrespectful to Phillips if the elder was trying to engage with him.
The incident sparked intense debate, with some defending Sandmann's actions and arguing that he was being unfairly targeted. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati criticized the students' behavior, while Covington Catholic officials did not initially respond to requests for comment. The diocese in Kentucky apologized for the incident, and Phillips offered to visit the school to lead a dialogue about cultural understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
Videos emerged in 2019 of students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky mocking a Native American activist, Nathan Phillips, and his companions outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The students were wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and were criticized for their behavior, which many interpreted as racist and disrespectful. The Catholic Diocese of Covington and the school issued apologies, but one student, Nick Sandmann, said he wasn't disrespectful and had nothing to apologize for.
The incident occurred after the 2019 March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., where the Covington Catholic students had gathered for an anti-abortion demonstration. Videos show the students confronting and mocking Nathan Phillips, an Omaha Nation elder, and a group of Native American drummers. The students shouted a faux Native American chant used by sports teams, laughed, and heckled, while Phillips continued to drum and sing, attempting to keep the peace.
The incident sparked widespread criticism and was condemned by various individuals and organizations, including Rep. Deb Haaland, the first Native American woman elected to Congress. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the March for Life organization also criticized the students' behavior. The Catholic Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School issued apologies, and Phillips offered to visit the school to lead a dialogue about cultural understanding. While some blamed the students, others questioned the type of religious instruction that led to their actions.
