The exhibit includes a brief, hard-hitting video, starring American Indian actor Floyd Flavel, that warns viewers that the exhibition "may fly in the face of what you've learned" about American Indians from movies, television and even textbooks.
I can see the political correctness coming a mile away...
Before Indians were running casinos and selling cigarettes tax-free in North America, they were a stone-age people before the "pale face" came. They had not learned to domesticate animals (except dogs), they had no written language, they used only stone tools and they had not even yet invented the wheel.
They had never seen a horse, a metal knife, a cart or a plow.
They also commonly practiced slavery, genocide and cannibalism against other tribes. No matter how many times you watch "Dances with Wolves" and "Pocahontas," it will not change these facts.
In terms of population percentage loss, the worst war we ever fought was King Philip's War in 1675. King Philip was an indian chief (also known as Metacomet) who attacked to oust white settlers from New England. The Indians burned down/destroyed twelve of ninety Puritan towns and attacked forty others (including Providence). The Colonists' population was small in 1688 and a good percentage of that population was killed in the war (with about 1000 slain out of a population of 52,000, this death rate was nearly twice that of the Civil War and more than seven times that of World War II). The Indians lost the war.
The Indians sided with the French in the French And Indian War (1753). The indians lost the war.
The Indians sided with the British in the Revolution. The indians lost the war.
The Indians sided with the British again in the War of 1812. The indians lost the war.
As the Americans moved west, fighting was constant on both sides. The indians lost everytime.
What did we need horses and carts for? We had Canoes, which made a lot of sense, since most of our trade routes were waterways...
They also commonly practiced slavery, genocide and cannibalism against other tribes.
Hmmm... gee. So did many other cultures - including whites. Explain to me how that is relevant?
The Indians sided with the French in the French And Indian War (1753). The indians lost the war.
You make it sound like "Indians" is an all-encompassing thing. As if ALL indian tribes were the same - same language, same culture, same alliances etc... Maybe in your world they are all the same but in that land that we call reality, we find that in actuallity, some tribes were allied with the French, some were Allied with the British. So, you were wrong in that blanket statement.
The Indians sided with the British in the Revolution. The indians lost the war.
Well, considering you were wrong about the alliances during the French and Indian Wars, maybe you'd like to take a moment and rethink this position? This was an issue that was responsible for the breakdown in the Iroqious Confederacy - some tribes sided with the British, and some sided with the Colonials. Oops.
The Indians sided with the British again in the War of 1812. The indians lost the war.
Again - define "The Indians" because I doubt every single indian, nor even close to a majority, sided with teh British during that war. Post proof.
As the Americans moved west, fighting was constant on both sides. The indians lost everytime.
Really? I seem to recall several very prominent instances where the U.S. Army had their asses handed to them by Indians. care to comment?
Now, before you go spouting off biased half-truths, outright lies, and misconseptions about "The Indians", perhaps it would be better if you knew what you were talking about?
It's hard to read your post without seeing just a little if not a lot of prejudice. Read what you wrote and think about it.
I have a lot of respect for you, 2banana, because I've read your posts.
However, this particular issue is near and dear to my heart and I have to say something.
I'm very glad there is an exhibition devoted to Native Americans. They had, and have, so much to offer but so often we're deaf to what they have to say.
"As the Americans moved west, fighting was constant on both sides. The indians lost everytime."
You're right about that--but the Indians lost b/c the whites had guns. Period. Guns will beat bow & arrow every time.
The Native Americans, the Indians, the First Nations, whatever name we choose to call them --they had, and have, a very proud and beautiful history from which I am grateful to learn.
As a matter of fact, I just spent last week in New Jersey, learning tracking from a man who learned from the Apache scouts (www.trackerschool.com). I met people from all over the place, including plenty of military.
Yes, in the past, there was plenty of brutality--on both sides. Just read about the Sand Creek massacre in Colorado.
I am glad every day that I was born in the United States. And yes, things happened the way that they had to have happened, for the best. I do believe that, because I have faith in the U.S.
But that doesn't mean that we didn't lose something special in refusing to listen and learn to what Native Americans and their traditions have to say.
Okay, enough already--I'll shut up now. :) Take care, everyone. Goodnight.
Generally that's an intellectually lazy way to make a point.
I respect your opinion...but I think you've swerved off the reservation.... : )
Megwetch,
I believe it was CNN I was watching last night when this story appeared. Apparently, this museum refuses to show the indians as victims. The reporter was sort of sad about it, hoping that the museum will eventually evolve into a PC whine fest.