For example, there is no doubt that cultural and physical genocide has been
(and contiues to be) practiced against Native Americans. As such, we should
(and I try to in my classes) educate non-Natives about these practices in
the hope of bringing about sympathy and change. However, to claim that
Columbus Day is a CELEBRATION of genocide is somewhat extreme, at
least. Likewise, I think that American history books need to recognize the
significant impacts of cultural and technological transfers from Native
Peoples to European immigrants. However, to imply that the history of
democratic practices only comes from Native sources and to deny the culture
of democracy found in Europe (you know, the Greeks) will not sway many
people to the legitimacy of recognizing the contributions of Native People.
Cultural transfers went in both directions. For example, the Navajo adapted
quite nicely to herding sheep that were brought to the Americas from
Europe. (I just finished reading Locke's The Book of the Navajo. What
do others think of it?) So culture and technology did flow in both
directions. Sometimes the diffusion was unwanted, but at other times it
appears to have been embraced by Native People. You are reading this on
some form of computer, right?
Anyway, these are just my thoughts. Understand that I am a non-Native reader
of the net. I'm not trying to defend any of the practices of European
newcomers, but I just think it may be disadvantageous to paint all aspects
of non-Native culture in such a negative light as this post implies.
Respectfully.
Scott D. Camp q8n@psuvm.psu.edu