It took three weeks but CNN has finally fired Rick Santorum for his racist remarks about Native Americans that drew national and international outrage.

While speaking to a conservative youth group last month, Santorum made it sound like Native Americans have not contributed at all to American history and culture, giving all the credit to white people.

“We came here and created a blank slate. We birthed a nation from nothing. I mean, there was nothing here. I mean, yes we have Native Americans but candidly there isn’t much Native American culture in American culture,” he said.

The statement drew instant backlash because he’s not only wrong about the contribution made by Native Americans, it should be pointed out that white people committed genocide against Native Americans, making his remark about how colonists came here and “created a blank slate” all the more outrageous.

In fact, Native American contributions to American culture can be found in every single state. The names of many cities, states, and rivers have Native American origins. Some of the food we eat such as corn and squash were grown by Native Americans. Native Americans have fought in our wars from the American Revolution to World War II to the present, serving with distinction.

Without Native Americans, the Pilgrims would not have survived that first winter after arriving in the New World all the way back in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Native Americans have been frequently portrayed on film and television, in the pages of many books, and— for better or worse— have had sports organizations named after them. Native Americans have contributed by becoming actors, athletes, soldiers, scientists, police officers, firefighters, doctors, etc…

Santorum’s remarks were not just racist, they were ignorant. And that’s why CNN fired him, especially after he failed to apologize and claimed he “misspoke” on the air.

Twitter users not only hailed his termination, but they also scolded the network for hiring him in the first place and for taking so long to do the right thing.

Now if only CNN and other networks would just fire the rest of the incendiary conservatives who should not have a platform to spread their lies and hate.

Featured Image: Screenshot