This is a brief essay concerning some of the discrimination and prejudice toward the Native Americans of the United States. I am an American Indian who would be associated with the Cherokee tribe although I have no tribal ties. I have always had a desire to know and understand the nature of my people, and heritage so I hope this essay will be shared with the same interest. The history of the early United States and the inhabitants as well as other eventual migrates to the continent is a fascinating story. Unfortunately, the story is also filled with tragedy and wrong decisions in a country that potentially could have been a different place in comparison to how America is today as a nation.
As I begin to research my heritage as a native with the Cherokee tribe I found an original unknown. The Indian ancestors migrated from Asia and into Alaska territories along with migrations into Canada and America. Most scholars agree that Native Americans came into the Western Hemisphere from Asia via the Bering Strait in a series of migrations. From Alaska they spread east and south.
The American Indians are split into tribes throughout the continent that will come to be known as America. The migrating Indians split into their own communities as they migrated south and east through the country. Indian tribes are estimated to number approximately 218 different tribal names known as Nations.
The American Indians can lay claim to most social differences concerning grouping and native segregation practices. I have contemplated the possibilities that in some ways these actions are inherent. I think in some ways prejudice is shown within the race itself as well in actions such as the “branching out” of the migrating Indians. Were these people segregated in this way in their true native’s lands?
Prejudice,segregation, and racism are all present within U.S. history and documented on many levels of official as well as unofficial forums. I found that according to the U.S. census department: “The current United States population of American Indians despite tribal ties is 8% or 320,000 compared to approximately 100,000 in 1838″ Census (2008). These statistics would indicate that there has been a population”recovery” throughout various American Indian tribes since the war’s against Indian presence in certain areas in the late 17 and 18 hundreds.
The obvious within the above reference is that the inhabiting Indian nations would be easy to manipulate and conquer. The numbers of the also migrating Europeans rapidly began to exceed the Indian population. White population by 1950 was estimated at 496,524 in Alabamaalone to give a slight comparison. There are no official numbers for the White population in 1840. Census (2008)
Along with the prejudice that arises as numbers in relation to one race or another, I think my heritage has many accounts both verbal and documented that directly address the issue prejudice toward American Indians. The tribulations suffered by them are documented throughout most factual information of past and present. Treaties that were never adhered to, criminalization of certain Indian culture’s and practices and inept handling of Indian affairs are all contributors. I can think of one off the top of my head called the Ghost Dance. Out of character
according to the name, the Ghost dance is not simply a dance. The Ghost Dance is a movement began by many of the plains Indians and adopted by other tribes throughout the country.
“A ceremonial religious dance connected with the messiah doctrine, which originated among the Paviotso in Nevada about 1888, and spread rapidly among other tribes until it numbered among its adherents nearly all the Indians of the interior basin, from Missouri river to or beyond the Rockies.” Handbook of American Indians(1906)
I think the “fear” shown by the settling Europeans concerning these types of practices were the inspirations for some descriptions placed upon the Native population of the country. The prejudice created by those fears also inspired various phrases that generate negative personal imagery among those being told the story. People viewed the Indians as howling savages that held ritualistic dances that practiced blood letting and sacrifice. This is a true assumption for some Natives to America and Mexico but does not and should not include them
all. The screaming Indian running toward an innocent settler tomahawk upraised to strike is the typical picture painted by the invaders. Discrimination in relation to Native Americans went further than simple words and broken treaties.
The mainstream is filled with discriminatory concerns throughout everything from the work place environments to a simple trip to the grocery store. The glass house type of mentality that is often shown within many different races and possibly all races share this trait. One individual or culture inevitably assumes priority over another. One example I found intriguing concerning the work- place, skill levels judged according to nationality and other prejudice or discriminatory elements are summarized by a Boston college student.
“By defining “the problem of race” in 1950s terms, as one of “discrimination and prejudice,” Clinton avoided language jarring to American sensibilities but was accurate. The problem is actually one of class. That is what Glenn Loury, an African-American scholar at Boston University, illuminates when he says that were the skin color of every African-American in America’s ghettoes magically changed, that would not markedly change his life chances. Those chances are stunted primarily by deficits of intangible social capital, including skills,
habits and mores.” Will (1997).
The attempt with this essay is not in any way intended to make white individuals out to be bad people. This is an illustration of facts settled among observations of my own without going into vast amounts of detail. Most races and nationalities on the planet have stories of discrimination and prejudice against them. I think that Glenn Loury hit the nail on the head in his ending “habits and mores.” Will (1997).
The responsibility to help eliminate these types of thoughts and actions toward others is directly related to how we face the issues every individual faces with the same equality. Regardless of gender or skin color humanity in general has taken steps toward those efforts. I think one element I did not see within any of the text concerned the need for cooperation. I think cooperation, in opinion, simply means treating people the way I think I should be treated and expect it in return. This is upsetting to most people when good actions are not rewarded.
The American Indians faced this occurrence on every level. Dual labor issues with Indian women in particular as well as glass housing, issues within affirmative action and the lack of it; most of the elements within the text are demonstrated to this day against the Native Indians of this country. Even though I do not actively participate in my hereditary people’s traditional way of living I do sympathize with this heritage in comparison to my other family heritage blood lines of Scotland.
References:
Handbook of American Indians, (1906)
Copyright 2004-2008, by Access Genealogy.com
Retrieved September 7, 2009 from website:
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/history/indianghostdance.htm
Census (2008),Census Report for Native Americans.
Retrieved September 7, 2009 from website:
http://www.census.gov/
Census (1950), Census PDF file for White Americans.
Retrieved September 7, 2009 from URL, PDF website:
http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1850a-02.pdf
No Author, (2008)
Retrieved September 7, 2009 from website:
http://www.nativeamericans.com/Natives.htm
Will, (1997),COMMENTARY NATIONWORLD,
June 15, 1997. pg. 15;Copyright Tampa Tribune Company Jun 19, 1997
Retrieved September 7, 2009 from Pro Quest Search.
Library Axia College of University of Phoenix.
