This is so brutal, unfair and sad. But, very little has changed in our attitudes to and treatment of those not wealthy, white and male. One more reason the ptb do not want the truth of history taught nor none but the elite to be elevated to positions of power and affluence. While we aid their subjugation by dividing ourselves and amusing the perpetrators...give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt.
bread and circuses is corporate medias' contribution to the dividing. angering and brainwashing of America. Their 24 hr left/right 'news' cycle featuring multiple daily 'breaking' news chyrons are designed to keep viewers amped up and unable to rationally process actual incidents. As is partisan commentary denigrating and impugning the 'other side'. Of course, Hollywood, sports, music, religions and more all have their roles to play, too. Can't focus too narrowly on only one player. We have so bought into the left/right divide, we are blind to the actual chasm which needs to be breached and that is the inequality of income and human rights.
I realized how difficult my Mother’s childhood had been when my Aunt told me they were shunned by the other kids because their parents considered them dirty (Indians) and forbade their children from playing with them. She said it disturbed my mother who was more of less “adopted” by a Black woman (who could have been a former slave and was certainly the daughter of slaves). My Aunt said she loved my Mother and helped her cope with the discrimination. When I was growing up my Mother had no tolerance for racial discrimination, was proud her Father was descended from Eastern Band Cherokees, and never described herself as White. Don’t for a moment believe that those in power see the unrich and unwhite as human beings. They don’t and never will. What was done to Indigenous americans won’t be taught because it would never occur to them that it is important. Thank you Shadowcloud.
Another excuse for not including ~indigenous~ in American history is the maltreatment was universal from day one and continues in many forms. Slavery of Blacks was geographically-centric which gave license for those in non-slaves states to claim some moral high ground. Since we were everywhere no such claim of taking the high ground could ever be asserted instead the decision was to demonize and dehumanize us. That would include those stolen and made into baby incubators and any of their offspring who resembled the Mother more than the Father. And that was applied down another generation of not two. Same with the Black slaves we took in and treated as we treat all, with respect. Same with whites we took in who escaped violent marriages or violent parent(s).
It's that history and perspective by which my views expressed on Substack subject matter are birthed. Our kind's history is about inclusivity (although in some ~peoples~ post-modern history they've adopted exclusivity taught to them by yts. They will go extinct first and fastest).
Befuddles me it took to the mid-20th century to address racial inequality and until the 21st-C to address 2spirit inequality. To this day still haven't addressed gender inequality. While many focus on the raw politics of Trump 2.0 my focus is on the rolling back of the little social progress of inclusivity made over the 2 and 1/2 centuries.
That's what anti-woke, the culture wars, and 86'n DEI is all about. It unweaves the very fabric of the nation and society. That is far worse than a political upheaval. Elections are numerous and produce numerous short-term good or harm. Unweaving the fabric of a nation is by far more consequential. longer lasting and dangerous due to intended unintended consequences.
This was powerful, and sadly not taught in our schools. And it would be equally tragic, no matter what time of year it occurred. May the New Year bring additional smile lines to your eyes.
In 2011, I copyedited Scott Berg's 38 NOOSES: Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of the Frontier's End (Pantheon, 2012). At that time I knew about the Trail of Tears and about Wounded Knee but very little of what happened between one and the other, and not much about what was happening on the frontier during the Civil War.
"What's done cannot be undone," said Lady MacB, to which I add "What's seen cannot be unseen." So many white Americans are trying so hard to erase everything about U.S. history that makes them uncomfortable. But if they didn't *see* it, would they be so determined to make it disappear? I don't think so.
This is so brutal, unfair and sad. But, very little has changed in our attitudes to and treatment of those not wealthy, white and male. One more reason the ptb do not want the truth of history taught nor none but the elite to be elevated to positions of power and affluence. While we aid their subjugation by dividing ourselves and amusing the perpetrators...give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt.
Much truth in your words. Much more than most care to admit.
Particularly struck by the invocation of a circus and citizens as entertainment that keeps them at each other's throats and off their backs.
Bread and circuses is a phrase from Roman poet Juvenal, meaning to appease the people with food and entertainment instead of public service or policy.
bread and circuses is corporate medias' contribution to the dividing. angering and brainwashing of America. Their 24 hr left/right 'news' cycle featuring multiple daily 'breaking' news chyrons are designed to keep viewers amped up and unable to rationally process actual incidents. As is partisan commentary denigrating and impugning the 'other side'. Of course, Hollywood, sports, music, religions and more all have their roles to play, too. Can't focus too narrowly on only one player. We have so bought into the left/right divide, we are blind to the actual chasm which needs to be breached and that is the inequality of income and human rights.
I realized how difficult my Mother’s childhood had been when my Aunt told me they were shunned by the other kids because their parents considered them dirty (Indians) and forbade their children from playing with them. She said it disturbed my mother who was more of less “adopted” by a Black woman (who could have been a former slave and was certainly the daughter of slaves). My Aunt said she loved my Mother and helped her cope with the discrimination. When I was growing up my Mother had no tolerance for racial discrimination, was proud her Father was descended from Eastern Band Cherokees, and never described herself as White. Don’t for a moment believe that those in power see the unrich and unwhite as human beings. They don’t and never will. What was done to Indigenous americans won’t be taught because it would never occur to them that it is important. Thank you Shadowcloud.
~wet Eyes~ for your storytell.
Another excuse for not including ~indigenous~ in American history is the maltreatment was universal from day one and continues in many forms. Slavery of Blacks was geographically-centric which gave license for those in non-slaves states to claim some moral high ground. Since we were everywhere no such claim of taking the high ground could ever be asserted instead the decision was to demonize and dehumanize us. That would include those stolen and made into baby incubators and any of their offspring who resembled the Mother more than the Father. And that was applied down another generation of not two. Same with the Black slaves we took in and treated as we treat all, with respect. Same with whites we took in who escaped violent marriages or violent parent(s).
It's that history and perspective by which my views expressed on Substack subject matter are birthed. Our kind's history is about inclusivity (although in some ~peoples~ post-modern history they've adopted exclusivity taught to them by yts. They will go extinct first and fastest).
Befuddles me it took to the mid-20th century to address racial inequality and until the 21st-C to address 2spirit inequality. To this day still haven't addressed gender inequality. While many focus on the raw politics of Trump 2.0 my focus is on the rolling back of the little social progress of inclusivity made over the 2 and 1/2 centuries.
That's what anti-woke, the culture wars, and 86'n DEI is all about. It unweaves the very fabric of the nation and society. That is far worse than a political upheaval. Elections are numerous and produce numerous short-term good or harm. Unweaving the fabric of a nation is by far more consequential. longer lasting and dangerous due to intended unintended consequences.
Shadowcloud, I gave your piece a "heart"...which seems hypocritical, as my eyes are full of tears.
What you write is important...so that we do not forget the past and pray we don't repeat it.
head bows w/~respect~
This was powerful, and sadly not taught in our schools. And it would be equally tragic, no matter what time of year it occurred. May the New Year bring additional smile lines to your eyes.
Much ~respect~ and kindness in your words and sentiment, Daniel. It did not go unnoticed
In 2011, I copyedited Scott Berg's 38 NOOSES: Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of the Frontier's End (Pantheon, 2012). At that time I knew about the Trail of Tears and about Wounded Knee but very little of what happened between one and the other, and not much about what was happening on the frontier during the Civil War.
"What's done cannot be undone," said Lady MacB, to which I add "What's seen cannot be unseen." So many white Americans are trying so hard to erase everything about U.S. history that makes them uncomfortable. But if they didn't *see* it, would they be so determined to make it disappear? I don't think so.