9 US Landmarks That Tell the Real (Uncensored) Story of America

2. Mount Rushmore: Monumental Faces and Native Displacement

Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is an iconic representation of four American presidents. Yet, the monument's creation is fraught with controversy, particularly regarding its impact on the Lakota Sioux, for whom the Black Hills are sacred. The land was taken from the Sioux in violation of treaties, and the carving of presidential faces into the granite was seen as a desecration. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who had ties to the Ku Klux Klan, envisioned the project as a testament to American expansionism, further complicating its legacy. Mount Rushmore stands as a testament to both American achievement and the injustices faced by indigenous peoples.