Representative Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" comment on Sunday drew a firestorm of reaction, as well it should. Rape is never "legitimate" and it is always a crime of violence. The concept takes this blogger back about 175 years to a bit of forgotten Missouri history: the Trail of Tears.

The Cherokee Nation became a victime when gold was discovered in northern Georgia in the 1830's. A minority of Cherokee signed a treaty with the U.S. government (led by President Andrew Jackson). Over the next two years (1838 and 1839), approximately 15,000 Cherokee were re-settled in the Oklahoma Territory. This forced march, also described as genocide, covered three routes from Georgia westward, including one through southern Missouri and Cape Gireardeau. Along the way, approximately 4,000 Cherokee died of exposure, hunger, and disease. Literally hundreds of Cherokee women were raped, abducted, and forced to marry or serve as wives to settlers along the way.

Hence the tie-in to Representative Akin's remark. The U.S. government "legitimately" stole the land of the Cherokee, a sovereign people. The resulting "forced march" resulted in the literal rape of their nation and its women.

The state of Missouri commemorates this travesty with the Trail of Tears State Park. Congressman Akin with his poor word choice rocks our present with his ignorance. Remember his words and our ancestors' shameful participation in the Trail of Tears as you make your way to the polls this November.