To start off, one statement I want to make is, that after all of the history classes I have had in my many years of education I have never had a more detailed description of how the Europeans colonized and settled the Americas.
The English were determined to “conquer a country” and that country was going to be America. Takaki gives excellent descriptions, and must I say frustrating descriptions, of how the British proceed to colonize the Americas and make it their own, “white”. In order to colonize the Americas they would have to somehow remove the Indians or make then conform to their practices and beliefs. While reading Takaki I had a difficult time understanding why the British thought they could colonize the Americas after the Indians had already discovered the land. Since the British had succeeded in the colonization projects in Ireland, their next project would be to colonize the New World. The English colonizers, very quickly, compared the Indians to the Irish. Initially, “savagery” was defined in relationship to the Irish, and the Indians were incorporated into their definition. (Takaki p.31) The British saw the Indians as barbarous hunters who had different skin color, customs, religion and government.
As the English started to make settlement in Virginia, the English were not able to survive in the wilderness without the Indians coming to their rescue by feeding them and caring for them. The disturbing part of this settlement was that after the Indians cared for the English to help them survive, a year later turned on the Indians and killed them and forced them to flee the land which they discovered. The Indians became “slaves” to the English. The interesting part of the English colonization at this point was that as the Indians tried to fight back and kill the English colonizers the English used this, to justify that the Indians were “savages” and that the land was truly English.
Next the English took route to New England territory, again where the Indians have already established their land. The Indians had a productive agriculture system established when the English arrived. The English colonizers again, were educated by the Indians on how to produce such growth and agriculture, but only to turn on them and take over their land. After many years of the increase in English settlement the Indians became overcome by disease that the English population had brought to their land. The English then proceeded to state that this was what God wanted to make more room for the settlers. The conflict between the Europeans and Indians continued for many years and lead to many wars and killings. Again as I was reading A Different Mirror became very disturbed and ashamed to know that these are my ancestors.
When Jefferson came into the picture he took sides with the English and informed the Indians that the transfer of Indian lands was done fairly and legally (Takaki p.46). Jefferson proceeded to say that in order for them to survive they would have to conform and adapt to the white culture. Again the Indians were given no choice. The frustrating part of all of this is that it all began because of their different culture and skin color.
We can see resonances of this racial formation in contemporary popular culture in many ways. One way is that I have been in situations where American citizens have stated that if you live in America you should speak English. Instead of trying to conform to other languages Americans typically expect other people from different backgrounds to conform to our language and way of living. It is interesting to think that in our pop culture we still judge people on their language, how they dress, and their beliefs. I wouldn’t say that Americans see people from different cultures as “savages” but, Americans continue to see others as “different” if they do not conform to the “norm” of society.
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I couldn't agree with you more. With if you were to read my blog you would find some of these same comments. I think its ridiculous with how many history classes I've taken that it took an Ethnic Studies class to educate me in such detail about how the native americans were treated by the English. And how some of our founding fathers had such harsh beliefs towards other people when they had feelings of such equality for the US during the revolution. I mean when you look at Jefferson, when it came to the revolution and England he wanted them to stop there control of the colonies, but with the natives it was the exact opposite. I guess its different when he was the one in control. (Yes i know this happened years before but his ideals and values wouldnt just change over night.)
ReplyDeleteYes good history presented by Ronald Takaki. there are many times when I read quotes from pertinent historical figures that amuzes me. their statements amuze me in the sense that they were so respected in their time but now if they would have the same message they would be scrutinized and their careers would be ended. An example from "Team of Rivals" by Doris Goodwin was Abraham Lincoln talking about freeing African Americans. I do apologize but I was unable to refind this quote and I read the book 3 years ago but this is as close as I remember. "I am not suggesting that the [negros] are equal to white man..." Now this is a horrible statement about African Americans from the man who abolished slavery. I would be interested in all the past presidents opinion of immigration from Mexico. I think the statements would change dramatically from George Washington to George W. Bush.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you too, from the very beginning. In all of my years of education I don’t think I have ever learned so much about exactly what happened and why. I’m not a huge fan of history but this class is really interesting how it’s piecing together all of history with every ethnicity. Takaki does a great job of explaining how the British came to America and took over all of the Indians land, pretty much giving them an ultimatum: conform or die. Also, how the Europeans felt superior to the Indians, when they didn’t even know about farming tobacco and living off of the land without the Indians help. This also makes me ashamed of my ancestors, but it’s the truth and it’s about time that we faced it in order to help us in the future. Lastly, your part about how people in America are jus expected to speak English well is so very interesting and completely true. I actually encountered a racialization of that sort in the last week. My friends were pointed out and looked down upon because they had an accent when speaking. This is something that infuriates me, how people could be so cruel I have no idea, but the fact that we can trace this behavior all the way back to when our ancestors came to America is outstanding and thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Mike as well, talking about Jefferson. He was a good leader, and I did like the fact that he wanted to conform the Indians and make them American, but there is probably a way to do this without violence and the slaughter of Indians. The Indians had after all taught the British so much, especially how to survive and live off of the land. They probably had a lot more to teach as well. They even provided us with resources knowing that the British were not trust worthy people and ultimately dangerous. I believe that as a leader Jefferson had a duty to consider more options and Takaki made it sound as if Jefferson did not want to kill the Indians at first. Today’s society would be so much different if Jefferson would have taken true leadership and realized that they were all Americans.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. We also share many of the same thoughts and use many of the same examples. But something I didn't use was sort of how in all our history classes that we're forced to take all throughout our lives, they never show all sides of the story. In a sense they sugar coat everything that has ever been done and make it seem like the 'whites' or 'americans' have always been in the right and had a legitimate/acceptable reason for why the certian action was taken. So I think you agree that it's nice to read something so unbiased!
ReplyDeleteI've never really taken a class this solid on American history and the perspectives of both Native Americans and settlers like this class before either. It's a real eye opening experience, and I'm glad I decided to take this class because now I can see where prejudices and racism spurs from. Your examples, particularly the one concerning languages in America, were very concise and the page numbers were greatly appreciated! I wholly agree with you that it is a frustrating living in this day and age and still having to come across racism (and the like) in our society. What struck me as being a complete surprise is that our president, Thomas Jefferson, was advocating for the extermination and relocation of Native Americans. That's when I realized this class was not like the normal classes.
ReplyDeleteThis book definitely gives the story of the history of America from a much different, long deserved perspective, that was almost lost to history because of these events. The book also sited how Jefferson knew full well of this injustice by making note of the line in his original manuscript that he had crossed out, "It is true that these purchases were sometimes made with the price in one hand and the sword in the other." (pg. 46) He may have defended America's right to the land, but he knew in his heart and mind that this was, although seemingly necessary at the time to the survival and growth of America, an grievous injustice and a tragedy.
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