The Script can be Altered
In Sherman Alexi’s piece, “Because
my Father Always Said”, he identifies the reality of Native American lives both
past and present. Indians’ entire history “has to do with survival.” Survival not only includes past threats from
others but also the reserve system implemented in Indian society today. Upon
contact with white settlers, Native Americans began a harsh battle against
Americans that continues. Although many reforms have been implemented to help
their society, problems still exist. According to the Huffington Post, only 51%
of Indians in the class of 2010 graduated high school. In addition, Indian
women are 3.5 times more likely to be raped than women of other races
(Huffington Post). Their lives are filled with hopelessness as land that was
once belonged entirely to them has been completely taken away. While such a
return of land would not be feasible today, many alternatives can be taken to
ensure Indians can have fulfilling and purposeful lives. Until actions are
taken to ensure such conditions, the past and present will become the future.
Neglect has overridden Native American society, but neglect doesn’t have to be
permanent.
Your warnings about the problems faced by Native Americans today is especially relevant considering that the increasing connectivity of the world is creating increased pressure for Native Americans to assimilate into mainstream American culture. This increases the obstacles facing Native American societies today. It is interesting that you said that returning all of America back to Native Americans is unfeasible. In the Mekong River Delta, some organizations of indigenous people there want to expel the Vietnamese, who came later, from the region. Do you think it is unreasonable in all cases for indigenous groups to want all of their land returned to them, or do you think it can happen in some cases but not in others?
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