Republican presidential Donald Trump on the campaign trail in Indiana. Photo from Facebook

Even Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is responding to the "off reservation" phrase used by Democrat Hillary Clinton. Simon Moya-Smith, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, looks at the controversy:

On Monday, Trump had a response to Clinton's "off the reservation" comment: "The Indians have gone wild" over her use of it.

"Now I won't even bring up the fact that the Indians have gone wild on that statement. You know that, OK. The Indians have said that that statement is a disastrous statement, and they want a retraction. I'm not going to get into that," Trump told CNN's Chris Cuomo on "New Day."

"Indians have gone wild," "Off the reservation." Are these two trying to make people frightened of Native Americans? Not likely.

Frankly, I don't believe Clinton was being purposefully invidious to Native Americans. The piercing phrase is used far too frequently and heedlessly by Americans who have, what, forgotten what it refers to?

This is why Hillary Clinton's use of the word is so hurtful, no matter its intent: It is indicative of an America still frighteningly unfamiliar with the plight of indigenous peoples in this country.

Get the Story:
Simon Moya-Smith: An ugly truth about America behind Hillary Clinton's 'reservation' comment (CNN 5/2)

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