2/22/22 homework

 

1. This article went in-depth on the situation of a woman named Lena Cason, Lena grew up in Arizona nearby a section of land where the united states government had been testing nuclear weapons in preparation for the cold war. As a result of this nuclear testing, many of the residents in the surrounding areas developed many different kinds of illnesses and ailments. Lena Carson was one of these victims, in 2013 she received a colon cancer diagnosis, and as a result of this diagnosis, she was entitled to financial compensation from the united states government. However, the paperwork required to collect the compensation is extremely difficult to track down.  After the death of her father in 1973 and her brother in 2018, Lena decided to file a RECA claim. However, the paperwork she needed to provide in order to file the claim was almost impossible to find, she stated “ it felt like no one cared where my records were” Lena was not the only one who was having trouble locating her records many Navajo Nation citizens were born at home, with no birth certificates immediately available. Marriages were ceremonial and had witnesses, but didn’t involve getting an official piece of paper from a courthouse” this means that even if people are able to locate the few records they may have, they might not even have the required amount. Ultimately Lena Cason was able to receive her compensation. 

2.  this article was very frustrating and upsetting to read, the injustice these people faced at the hands of the government is extremely frustrating. I can't even imagine what it must be like to experience this kind of treatment and then have the only apology be monetary compensation that is almost impossible to obtain. I also felt like the amount of paperwork people affected by the nuclear testing were required to provide was unreasonable, especially considering the fact that the concept of keeping everything recorded on paper is a relevant new thing that indigenous people have not historically done. Another thing that made me feel frustrated was that $50,000 is oftentimes not enough to completely cover the outrageous cost of cancer treatment in America, especially because most indigenous people are living in what the government would consider poverty so they most likely do not have health care or access to medical treatment. 

3. My recommended action for people in Keene would be to call for the government to make it easier for the people affected by the nuclear testing in Arizona to receive their financial compensation and offer them free or reduced-cost health care in order to treat the illnesses they have as a result of the testing. I think spreading awareness would also help, if more people knew about this it is a possibility that something could be done to help the surviving victims of the nuclear testing. Finding a charity or an organization that helps the people who have been affected is also a good option, donating to help the people affected pay for medical bills and other necessities would be a good way to take action and help the people the government has wronged. But ultimately it is up to the United States government, they are the ones who have caused this problem to irresponsible testing and careless treatment of its citizens

4. 

   
   
   • Federal Government of the United States