This video introduces Walter Plecker, the former registrar of Virginia's Bureau of Vital Statistics, and his devastating role in the erasure of Native American identity in the state. Driven by beliefs in eugenics and white supremacy, Plecker actively worked to preserve "white racial purity" by systematically reclassifying Native Americans as "colored" or "black" on official documents. This manipulation stripped Virginia's tribes of their unique identities, leading to a loss of recognition, resources, and cultural heritage, a legacy that Native American communities continue to challenge today.
Comments