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Cultural Diversity The most important reason why many White people in United States hold more benevolent attitudes towards Native Americans than they do such other subordinate groups as African Americans and Latinos is because their historical memory associates Indians with danger. Natives always remained a freedom loving people, who actively resisted the colonial expansion of White men. Many Indian tribes proved to be immune to the spiritual corruption of Christianity. They never considered White people to be semi-gods, who were superior to them in every respect. In fact, the anthropological characteristics of many Native chiefs were suggesting that they actually belonged to White race.
White people intuitively feel that Natives of North America are their equals. They rightfully consider them being just as cunning and intelligent as they are. Therefore, Natives can whether be the best friends or the worst enemies. White people are not sure about their superiority, in regards to Indians; this is why they are more benevolent towards them. Thanksgiving Day was being originated by Puritans in New England.
It was their way to express their gratitude to God. But let us not forget that Puritans were religious fanatics, whose racial arrogance became known throughout the world. White colonists always thought of Natives with suspicion. Protestant religion made them to consider themselves as chosen people, who had a mission of establishing a true Christian state in the New World. They literally thought that America was given to them by God, while Native people were simply savages, who did not deserve the right to live here, in the first place. This is why celebrating a Thanksgiving Day is considered to be slap in the face by many Native Americans.
The same applies to celebration of Independence Day. The declaration of Independence by George Washington came as a result of domestic dispute between White colonists and the king of England. The opinions of Native people on the subject were never even considered. White people acted according to the principle divide and rule. They strived to make their ideals of democracy, justice and beauty to be universally applicable to everyone. This is why celebrating Independence Day cannot be considered by Native Americans as their patriotic duty.
If I was able to affect the historical events of the past, in order to free Natives of their marginalized status, I would consider banning the Christianity in America as the foremost priority. This obscure religion was being used to justify the greatest atrocities in history, including the genocidal practices of White people towards Native Americans. It is because of Jesus message of peace that Indians were being hunted down as wild animals. The most successful White scalp hunters were also known as being the most devout Christians. First was the Bible, then alcohol. There is no doubt that if Native Americans were not spiritually poisoned by Christianity, they would be able to reserve many more rights for themselves, while signing treaties with White settlers.
History cannot be changed even hypothetically. It is not a fairy tale only stronger races survive through imposing its domination on others. Native Americans had an honorable way of living, but they failed to create technological civilization. This is why they had no chance, while confronting Whites. Nevertheless, White people would not be able to almost totally annihilate Natives, if they were less stuck up to traditions. Even after they had realized the devastating power of rifles, Indians were still very reluctant to use them to their advantage, because they did not want to be associated with the ways of White men.
If I was able to go back in time, I would teach Native Americans to be more technologically open minded. In addition, I would tell them to be less trustworthy. White settlers had no other God than money, while remaining very pious at the same time. If Native Americans possessed enough information about their adversaries, they could turn White peoples strength into their weakness. These suggestions, of course, have no practical meaning. After the arrival of Europeans to America, it was only the matter of time before Native Americans would cease to exercise a socio-political influence.
We can say that things could have turned out to be more civilized, between Europeans and Natives, but peoples greed and superstitions prevented it from happening. Bibliography: Mohegan History. 1997. Native Americans Mohegan Site. Retrieved March 9, 2007 from web The Mohegan Tribe: A Rich and Vibrant History. 2000. Mohegan Way. Retrieved March 9, 2007 from web The Lasting of the Mohegan's - Mohican American Indian Tribe. 1993.
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Research essay sample on Native Americans White People
