The term "Manifest Destiny" described the widely held 19th century belief that the United States, a young nation ruled by men of European descent, was divinely destined to spread across the North American continent. It was the ideology underpinning the Mexican-American war of the 1840s and the violent occupation of indigenous lands.

And now, the Gap has slapped it on a T-shirt.

According to Indian Country, Today Media Network, "Apparel manufacturer The Gap is currently selling a black t-shirt bearing — with no explanation — the words MANIFEST DESTINY'." Activists have been reacting to the clothes item with angry letters and boycott pledges. Indian Country reprinted a letter to the Gap from activist actress and member of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Renee Roman Nose. She wrote:

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