Thanksgiving (or Genocide?)

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"The way to kill a man or a nation is to cut off his dreams, the way the whites are taking care of the Indians: killing their dreams, their magic, their familiar spirits." - William S. Burroughs

 Before I begin this, let me state my 'credentials'. I am not an American Indian, nor do I carry (as far as I am aware) any blood of such. I am a white male though I don't necessarily look it (a strong expression of my Roma (ie gypsy) blood - but that is a story for another time). Point is, my opinion will be considered a bias on this topic as someone who grew up 'white', though I will do my best to be objective.

Let us also dispense with the myth of the noble savage. American Indians are human, given to the same faults as any other human. They made war on each other, were just as brutal to each other, and once introduced to scalping (a European invention) they added it to their manner of war as well. So let us not pretend that American Indians were just sitting around in peaceful harmony with nature as some form of proto-hippy.

Now, for the meat of it - I can sympathize with the pain Native Peoples feel over the topic of Thanksgiving (and Columbus Day for that matter) and the resulting near extinction that resulted from warfare, treachery, and disease of their ancestors at the hands of European settlers. It was in no uncertain terms a terror and a tragedy for individuals, for a culture, and for the descendants of both. The element that does get lost in that conversation is this: It was inevitable. 

Consider three basic facts:

• The Indian tribes of North America were stone-age (talking technology here, not society or culture which was quite advanced) tribes, occasionally organized into confederations. Indians fought each other, but had never engaged in warfare like that of Europe.
• Europe was a technologically advanced society who had been making war on each other for hundreds of years, invading Africa and Asia, and being invaded in return by the same. They were explorers, looking for more wealth to keep fighting wars.
• The peoples of North America had no immunological defenses against the diseases of the Old World, and it is a fluke of nature that North America had nothing to offer in return. 

Once the first Europeans arrived, the American Indian was doomed. They could not fight the disease that ran ahead of the settlers, and they could not match the technology nor the unified organization of Europeans. Let me say it again, it was inevitable.

One cannot blame Europeans for the diseases that were factors nature and out of every one's control. Later, specifically using disease in warfare, yes, an abomination, but initially it was no one's fault. One might as well blame the sun for being hot.

The Europeans conquered as they always did, and the Native Peoples were unaccustomed to such organized warfare. They might win an occasional battle, but they were going to lose the war. For that matter, not even the great civilizations of Aztecs or Incas could stand against the Europeans. Although it is worth noting and exploring purely for historical sake why Europeans could never conquer Africa. There may be some lessons to be learned there.

All of which is not an excuse. Canadians (primarily French Canadians) have historically done a better job than Americans in dealing with Indians. It could have turned out much, much better for everyone had American European settlers been far less Christian arrogant, far less racist, and far more understanding. All a function of European culture. These were not anthropologists settling the New World.

Side Note: I recommend a book called The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson. It portrays a 'what if' scenario where Europeans were wiped out by the plague and it was the Chinese and Muslims instead who attempted to conquer North America, with different, but no less terrible results.

Personally, I am enthralled with native cultures, especially the Pueblo Peoples of the American Southwest (who I interacted with while visiting New Mexico), and as a student of history, as a compassionate human, it pains me to see what has become of such wonderful cultures.

And now we come to my point and this directed to my Native brothers: Never forget, perhaps never forgive in your heart, but ultimately get over it. Yes, Native Peoples were victimized, robbed, families torn apart, murdered, and forced onto the worst patches of ground in North America but so long as you allow your people to continue to be victims, they can never rise to the prominence they deserve. I realize it's an economic opportunity, but casinos are a poor substitute for actual economic. cultural, and historical significance. Your culture is worth far more than roadside attractions and jewelry. We've come a long way as a society, but we still have more to go, but now is not the time to sit back and accept apologies. Now is the time to change things for the better.

I dream of an America where the Indian is prominent and valued member of society. I hope to see it come true in my lifetime. Get out there. Kick ass!

-Brent

"White guys cannot box! Black guys fight better. Puerto Ricans fight even better. I guess the lower you go on the social ladder, the better you fight. For every good Puerto Rican fighter, there's an American Indian waiting to kick his ass!" - Chris Rock

William S. BurroughsThe way to kill a man or a nation is to cut off his dreams, the way the whites are taking care of the Indians: killing their dreams, their magic, their familiar spirits.
William S. Burroughs

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