Ok, so my opinion on all of these studies on racism I'm doing for my classes and in English 102 about the Tulalip trip and other Native American's struggles in America is one that most people won't agree with (I think). I am just posting it to see if my views will change after this quarter. I think that Native Americans and all other minorities are overreacting, they are making too big of a deal over something with could be way worse then it is. In the past, when countries would take control of territories; they would either kill or enslave all those who already lived in that territory. They did not let them keep land or give them special rights or anything like that. For modern day Native Americans - that sucks that you got your land stolen, but you should just get passed it and live with the situation that you've been put it. Other races that are minorities do this as well and honestly it bugs me a little bit. I hear it way too much and I know some people treat them meanly and call them names and stuff like that. White people have the same problems too though, I've been called wierd a lot and I get made fun of all the time. I just don't let it bug me, because truthfully I am a little wierd.
I grew up and live in a majorily white community. But I was good friends with most of the non white students at my school. All three black kids were my friends and a few of my closest friends are a Native American and a Mexican. I do have prejudices for all races though; some are good, some are bad. I think everyone has those, they are just natural. I have them for my own race too, does that make me racist against whites? I just don't see why something that is natural that people can't control could be such a big deal for the people its about. If someone is getting treated really badly, then thats not right. Even just calling someone a name is bad too. But there are those people who, for some reason, have to pick on other people to make themselves feel better. Whether they are making fun of someone with glasses, red hair, or dark skin I don't think it matters. I don't make fun of people unless they are my friends, then I make fun of them a lot. I believe that people should understand that race matters as much as hair color, in my opinion. This will probably sound bad and racist to some people but I think I have the best view on these things.
Hey Jed,
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with you, however I appreciate your honesty. There are undoubtedly people who will agree with you and people that won't, and I hope you hear from a variety of perspectives.
Where my disagreement starts is that the past was filled with much more than just calling people names. Many white/dominant culture people today are taught a very white-washed version of history and they do not fully comprehend just how horrificly white people treated others- not just slave owners or calvary members- ordinary Americans all over the US were involved too.
Remember the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project website, that history of racism and overcoming racism is NOT being taught at most schools around here- so people can tell themselves we've never had a problem with racism here in the Pacific Northwest.
If 90% of the US population was killed and the survivors were shoved off their land into little out of the way pockets, how long would it take us to heal, "get over it", etc? What is the average timeline for letting go of cultural genocide?
While you have every right to your opinion, keep in mind that whatever struggles you and your family may have had, you are part of the dominant culture. So, you have been taught/programmed/brain washed (it happens to most of us, not just you) to dismiss/deny/discount information that challenges your position.
As I keep mentioning in class, the more you can see this work/information as not a personal attack, yet as discussing legacies of history and how they affect people today, the more it won't be as upsetting or annoying.
In response to your honest opinion, that you believe we complain about our land being taken, I would like to agree with you about that because we can't change that. One thing we can change is the way people like you think and how we can overcome the stereotypes that exist among our generations. If you look at the casino's of some tribes on the east coast and see how successful they have become and with that success they are buying back land. The white communities near these reservations are complaining about Native Americans buying back land. I'm a type of person that does not like to complain but find solutions. If you want to look at how an young Native American grows up, look up Pine Ridge South Dakota. It is the poorest county in America. I call it America's shadow. But you see, it was prophesized that white people were to come to our land and cause us to suffer. So we knew that the day would come because our ancestors fortold this. Chris Colombus and the Colonists showed their intelligence by showing up and not knowing where they were and not knowing how to survive. They went crazy over material that was of this world which is gold. So you see, if you have any religion or form of spirituality, I would base those religions as living in the flesh and degrade the spirit. I hope you do learn from this experience. Keep an openmind and if you never been to a reservation go to one learn from them. Don't be closed minded to new information because that is more violent than physical confrontation.
ReplyDeleteK-Fed, I can respect your honesty, but you must keep an open-mind on this topic. I know we have complained a lot about losing our land because the people before us ( our ancestors). Our people fought with the US government and Colonialist since 1492. Our chiefs of the many various tribes had fought and tried to have peace, but we got screwed with each treaty made by the US. They scarificed their land for perservance or bleed-shed for our cause. Some Native people are angry about the lands we lost, but that was done by the leaders before us. By an educated guess most of us don't know how we lost our tribal lands. At the same time, the US government couldn't control most of the white settlers for their actions. I can go on about this...but check this book out:
ReplyDeleteRacism in Indian Country by Dean Chavers
He basically emphasizes racism on Native Americans check this out and tell what you think.
I did check out the Racism in Indian Country book, or at least part of it. And I also recently read the book The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I'm sure that you guys are familiar with that book. But I read that and realized that not all Indians have it as easy as I thought they did. I thought that they got plenty of money for doing nothing and all they do is spend it on alcohol or drugs and thats why they don't have much left over to help them live a normal lifestyle. My Grandfather was mostly Native American, from the Blackfoot Tribe, and he was a drug addict and and over all just a piece of crap person. So, thats what my base view of Native Americans came from.
ReplyDeleteBut I had one classmate who was my good friend in high school and he is a Native American, although I am not sure what tribe he is from. He kinda helped show me that Native Americans are not all bad and really just the same as white people. You see, I don't really look at the color of peoples skin when I 'judge' them. So I kind of figure that Native Americans have the same opportunities as me and other white people. But I guess I should take race into account in a way. Like the way the most Native Americans have way worse living styles and therefore are less likely to succeed or become really successful. My Mother grew up with bad living styles and two of her brothers ended up in jail most of their lives, shes lucky she ended up with a semi normal life.
I guess what I'm trying to do is apologize for my last post, I said that with a closed mind. I usually have an open mind but I also like to cause debates sometimes. So I really wanted to see what Native Americans had to say about that kind of opinion. Although I somewhat share the typical white man view, I exagerated when I posted that. But thank you for your responses, that is what I was looking for.
I don't particularly think that the white people were okay in taking over native american land, but it is in the past. I understand that there were some things that happened back then that were horrible but it happened and now there is nothing that can be done to fix it. I understand what you're saying and I happen to agree with most of your opinions and I like how honest you are about this serious topic. My ethnic background is not mainly white but I do have prejudices of different ethicities, even my own at times. It's not that I think native americans are blowing their opinions out of proportion, but I do think it should be a topic that EVERYONE should put in the past. It is hard, but I do agree with your opinions.
ReplyDeleteYes, that was the main point I wanted to get accross. Try to put it in the past, don't let your past affect you. I think its bad that my white ancestors took over their land too. But really Native Americans should not always complain about it and let it hold them back. I'm not saying that all Native Americans complain, but the ones that do usually aren't as successful. My friend is full blood Native and I've never heard him complain, only make jokes about whites and about his own kind. His father is the typical alcoholic that most people expect from Native Americans, but he is successful and goes to college now and does not let his ancestors past hold him back
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