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Finders Keepers, Losers Weeper

During class we discussed the spread of European ideology into the Americas, and how this spread helped the Europeans rationalize the oppression of Native Americans. I could not help but feel extremely frustrated as we continued our conversation. Our society today places a huge emphasis on the idea of African slavery and tend to make there disgust with the matter very clear, but what they fail to mention is that Native Americans were also enslaved.

The enslavement of the Native Americans was easily achieved due to the "European Advantage". The Europeans were way more advanced in every aspect than the Native American during the first interaction that they had together. The European explorers had weapons, advanced agriculture, will to conquer, and immunity to behavior. All these aspects were not present in Native American society.

Following this was the "Great Dying". This event changed my feeling of frustration into sadness. I could not believe that 90-95% of Native Americans were killed and nothing was done about it. THey not only had their lives ripped away from them, but also their sense of self. They no longer could have their own belief and language. The new invaders forced this individuals to conform and if conformity did not take place they risked death.

Not having the ability to think, feel, or believe what you want freely is extremely depressing. I hope that nothing like this every takes place again in our society.

PS: This assignment was late because my computer crashed and I just got it back and repaired today.

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