2008 Woodie Awards
The Revolutionary Review: Sorry for Everything
Matthew Caston
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Expressions
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Slavery, segregation, the unlawful detainment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the slaughter of millions of Native American; what do all these things have in common? They are all unconstitutional acts of the United States government, and the list goes on.
Among the list the US has only apologized for the unlawful detainment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The US has also issued an official apology for the overthrow of the native kingdom of Hawaii .
Now the US government is trying to redeem itself of one more action listed; the slaughter of millions of Native American. Not all Native Americans, just one tribe in particular. The apology was sponsored by former republican candidate Senator Sam Brownback. He says that the apology is a "giant step forward." Brownback says that to move forward we have to "acknowledge and take ownership" of the events of the pass.
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He brought with him population diminishing epidemics of smallpox, typhus, influenza, diphtheria, and measles that wiped out 95% of the Native population. Columbus also brought with him men ready to conquer. The earliest conquests occurred in 1494 by the Spanish and the Portuguese. By the Treaty of Tordesillas, ratified by the Pope, the two nations divided the entire non-European world between themselves, but eventually many more nations would have their hand in the conquest and bloodshed.
Most of the population lives on reservations that this country has "given" them. How can something be given that already belongs to the receiver? It's like giving freedom to an African American after the Civil War. Liberty and freedom were
already his to begin with.
The apology is not enough. A few words can't erase all the bloodshed, the plunder, and raping. It can't erase 300 years of being invisible. There is still extreme poverty among the US citizens that live on the reservations. What is the fate of other tribes? They deserve an apology, at the least. This apology shows just how much the US government cares, just enough to get by. RIOT
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Eric Josephson
posted 4/13/08 @ 9:50 AM CST
In 1850 and 1861 The Konkow Maidu were placed on reservations as prisoners of war. We were not terminated by Congress. Every member of our tribe is federally recognized pursuant to 25USC657. (Continued…)
Jim Horn
posted 4/13/08 @ 6:33 PM CST
America as a nation has grown in it's understanding of human rights beyond what is written in the Constitution. But to lay at it's doorstep the depopulation of North America by diseases brought to this continent is ridiculous beyond words. (Continued…)
Irvin Porter
posted 4/23/08 @ 2:30 AM CST
You should also mention that the "apology" goes on to affirm the patriotism of those who fought the "Indian Wars" on behalf of family and country. That isn't an apology that's a cover-up!
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