In the End

            In the end, I feel like I’ve learned tons in this class. But at the same time, I haven’t learned anything, if you step back and look at the whole scope of Native American history.

            I found the American Indian Movement fascinating. It’s the Civil Right Movement all over again, yet somehow completely absent from my education thus far. I was watching some Eddie Izzard standup the other day. The start to it was a comedic bit about a group of tourists going to visit Alcatraz. His camera crew went along for the trip and he dubbed his comedy over the tape later on. And the cameras zoomed in on the handwritten graffiti that read “Native Americans Welcome,” or something similar. Izzard said something along the lines of: “Once a fearful island prison turned Native American protest destination, now just a piece of history for tourists to visit.” Which means this British, trilingual comedian knew more about my own country’s history than I did. If it weren’t for this class, I would never have even been aware of Occupy Alcatraz.

            Similarly, I never would have known about Wounded Knee and the tragedy there. I wouldn’t have known about the existence of a museum in DC dedicated to Native Americans. I would have been ignorant of the ridiculous and recent legislation the United States government has made on “behalf” of Native Americans. The list can go on.

            Like Dr. Morris said on several occasions, this class at least has cracked the door to a whole world of information we’ve never been exposed to before. There’s so much more I don’t know and likely won’t know unless I search it out myself. I’m still completely jaw-drop astounded by how little I knew. I watch the History and Travel channels occasionally. And I watched a tour and history of the underground railroad beneath a church. All the things they were saying, I already knew. But Native American history?? I’m a blank slate.

            I saw the last five minutes of a history program on Ishi. For once, I was shocked there was even a program about him. But then I realized: this was early 1900s information. Information about a Native in the past. Nothing contemporary. The episode ended with this quote, “From a primitive lifestyle to modern society.” It was stated like a good thing, like his removal from his home was an amazing improvement. But he died from tuberculosis he probably never would have encountered at home. And isn’t that quote indicative of most all Native history?

            So I’ll end with the only contribution I can make to this cause: I will pay more attention. And I’ll spread this information wherever the opportunity arises.