Each response to classmates must follow 3CQ format: One compliment, one comment, one connection (for example, to your own experience), and one question.
Response Mohanad:
Hello everyone
The treatment of Native Americans in the United States has been a dark chapter in American history. It is a complex and multi-dimensional topic, encompassing many policies that have led to violations of their rights throughout history. It has been characterized by displacement, discrimination, and violence. The systematic removal of Native American tribes from their native lands, since the period of European colonization, has led to systematic marginalization and exclusion from their lands. These policies have been implemented in a variety of ways, ranging from forced displacement known as the “Trail of Tears” to placing children in boarding schools intended to “educate” them and strip them of their native culture and treaty violations to exacerbating the injustices faced by Native Americans. The establishment of reservations, often on less desirable lands, has had long-lasting negative effects on Native American communities. This week’s readings emphasize the importance of historical justice and reforming current policies to correct them. Some of these efforts might include recognizing Native people’s legal rights to land, increasing funding for education and health programs in Native communities, and acknowledging and addressing historical injustices to work toward healing and justice for Native American peoples. Despite their tragic history, many Native American tribes have demonstrated great resilience and perseverance to preserve their culture, language, and traditions. This is an important element in understanding how these communities challenge historical obstacles and rebuild their identity.
response 2 Lilian
After reading “A People’s History of the United States.” by Howard Zinn, I saw how many European settlers had betrayed the Native Americans in many capacities. Las Casas, on page 6 of Columbus, the Indians and Human Progress, discusses how the Natives were used for the Spaniards dirty work. They were forced into mines, worked laboriously, and even carried around the Spaniards. I was immediately grossed out by that behavior. Of course, I knew of the chicken pox laced blankets and unbalanced wars that were fought, but I was not aware that slavery had a longer track history in the United States. In addition, on page 10 and previous, it was detailed that on how Columbus and his men treated the Arawaks. It was depicted clearly that the violence was mutual and murder was on both sides. However, the Spaniards had the upper hands- their weapons were much stronger. The Spaniards held them captive in camps and again, were brutal to them.
Response 3 Emily
In my opinion it’s important for these challenges to be recognized because we can be bring light to the challenges that we experience till this day. It is important that we understand the history behind these challenges. For example understanding the native sovereignty movements such as the red power movement. The red power movement increased awareness and led to many changes and created coalition building between diverse groups. It has led to empowerment within the native tribes.
Response 4 Caleb
In the book “A People’s History Of The United States” by Howard Zinn, Zinn talks about how Columbus treated the natives. When Columbus landed in the “New World”, it didn’t take long to take the natives by force and try to pry information out of them, specifically about where he could find gold. See, Columbus had investors back in Britain, and he had to make sure they got a good return on their investment. So if that meant taking natives against their will to interrogate them, so be it. During his time exploring America, Columbus would exploit the kindness of the natives he met. And while Columbus would keep asking for new objects to collect, it wasn’t as horrible as what Hernando Cortes did. Cortes, on many occasions, would massacre thousands of Aztecs before looting their now-empty cities. To me, this is objectively wrong and should never have happened.
In the chapter “Toward The Stony Mountains” by Takaki, he writes about Andrew Jackson and how he forced thousands of Natives in America to relocate in the name of creating a greater society for the United States. I find it interesting that Jackson thought that a good way to improve society was by wiping out another. The Trail Of Tears was a tragic and sad moment for the U.S. and one that should never be viewed in a positive light.
Response 5 Safaa
The treatment of Native Americans in the United States has been marked by a history of exploitation, violence, and systemic marginalization. As discussed in Zinn Chapter 1, Columbus initiated a pattern of brutal conquest and enslavement, which set a precedent for subsequent European settlers. This pattern continued through the centuries. in Takaki’s Chapter 4, where the introduction of Native American policies like forced relocations and broken treaties further exemplified the systemic oppression faced by Indigenous peoples. Zinn emphasizes the dehumanizing treatment of Native Americans, portraying Columbus and his men as aggressors who viewed Indigenous people as mere resources to be exploited. Takaki provides a broader historical context, illustrating how these early interactions evolved into a sustained campaign of displacement and cultural genocide. The introduction to Chapter 4 of Takaki’s work highlights the resilience and resistance of Native American communities, despite the relentless efforts to erase their cultures and autonomy. In sum, the readings underscore a tragic narrative of exploitation and resilience, revealing the profound injustices faced by Native Americans and the enduring impact of these historical actions on their communities today.
Response 6 Melissa
The treatment of Native Americans in the United States was truly an inhumane genocide in my opinion. I believe that the actions that the Spaniards and English people did towards the Indians in their native land were truly horrendous and took their kindness for granted. It is sad to hear the truth about Columbus and the ill intentions he had towards Indians just to get gold and discover land. Upon reading “Zinn Ch.1 Columbus, The Indians and Human Progress” it really opened my eyes to hear and recognize the truth behind “Columbus Day” and how we celebrated that day knowing/not knowing the horrific things during hat period. A huge statement that was made in that reading was to reveal the truth of history and to move forward without covering up the truth in history books and what is being covered by people of power, which in my opinion is a really powerful statement and new perspective of viewing history. Bringing up this history from the Indians perspective and all people affected is a new approach in which deserves more recognition. The other readings also did a good job in revealing the struggles that the Indians went through and stories about women being raped, women in desperation with their infant and babies due to the lack of survival, and “random” tortures they had to endure.
response 7 Kameryn
the education I received on Native American history was grossly inaccurate and misleading. In elementary school, I was taught that Pilgrims and Native Americans lived in harmony and learned from each other. By high school, the subjects shifted to colonization and conflicts but overlooked the violence and exploitation of Indigenous Americans, reflecting a bias towards self-preservation and glorification.
Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States” provides a more accurate portrayal, detailing how Columbus and other Europeans enslaved Native Americans, seized their lands, and committed genocide on a whole population. This dark history is frequently minimized in traditional education, which focuses instead on the economic and cultural benefits of Columbus’s voyages.
Ronald Takaki’s “A Different Mirror” reveals further mistreatment, such as President Andrew Jackson’s role in the eviction of the Cherokee Nation in the Trail of Tears. This pattern of inhumane treatment continues to the present, with Native Americans still facing inequalities and injustices. These readings highlight the ongoing need for a more honest and comprehensive understanding of Native American experiences and treatment.
Response 8 Zion
The way Native Americans have been treated throughout history is heartbreaking. They were often used as tools, with little respect for their humanity. Their culture and traditions were ignored and pushed aside. The passages provided show how harsh and unfair their treatment has been in the United States. Starting with Columbus, Native Americans faced forced labor, and violence, and were pushed off their lands. Zinn’s account shows that Columbus and his crew exploited Native people for their own gain, driven by greed. They didn’t see Native people as human beings but as resources to be used. Unfortunately, this mistreatment didn’t stop with Columbus. As Takaki explains, the U.S. government and settlers continued to push Native Americans further west to take their land and resources. Despite many promises and treaties, Native Americans were repeatedly forced off their ancestral lands, with their rights and cultures ignored. This caused immense suffering as they lost their lands, traditions, and lives. The focus of settlers and the government was always on gaining power and profit, with little regard for how it affected Native communities. This long history of exploitation and betrayal has left a lasting impact on Native American communities, showing the deep injustice and loss they have experienced.