Native Americans vs Whites Essay Example
Native Americans vs Whites Essay Example

Native Americans vs Whites Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (614 words)
  • Published: April 13, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Native Americans were previously forced to assimilate, but now we are empowered to decide our own journey.

In the past, only those who were part of the elite society had rights. However, this was limited to white individuals who hungered for power and used any means necessary to acquire land that belonged to Native Americans. The exploitation of their innocence allowed whites to gain total control over them through assimilation, deception, and taking everything they had. In the 1800s, white Americans entered Sioux lands with intentions of obtaining their valuable resources such as gold and land.

Throughout history, the white race has aimed for total domination and control over others based on a belief in their innate superiority. This led to their unrestricted rule and actions towards Native Americans, which included expulsion from ancestral lands and relocation to reservations like Lakota,

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Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Standing Rock. The goal was for Native Americans to assimilate into white culture; in December 1890, the Ghost Dance was even prohibited on Lakota reservations and later on Pine Ridge and Rosebud. Despite being inexperienced in warfare tactics, Native Americans fought back against white oppression with a desire to maintain dignity while staying true to themselves.

Short Bull, Kicking Bear, and Sitting Bull refused to comply with the Ghost Dance ban due to their resentment towards being controlled. Despite their efforts, their resistance was unsuccessful, resulting in Sitting Bull's death. The Native Americans' pursuit of asserting their rights proved futile as the whites always prevailed. The imposition of assimilation was unjust and should have been optional rather than obligatory. The whites aimed to assimilate the Native Americans by compelling them to adopt their

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customs, culture, and beliefs while enforcing Christianity and English language usage upon them; they even enforced "Christian" names on them. Anything that did not align with the white's preferences was prohibited.

Native Americans had no agency in the situation and were left with two options: submission or death. The latter was preferred by whites who sought to eradicate the indigenous population. One such Native American was Charles Eastman, also known as Ohiyesa, who assimilated to white culture and even pursued a career in medicine while also engaging in a romantic relationship with Elaine Goodell, a teacher on the reservations. Native Americans were subjected to trickery and ongoing abuse.

The Native Americans were obligated to vacate their lands and relocate to reservations, which provided them with a difficult existence. While some individuals were resistant to leaving their lands, the situation deteriorated, giving them no choice but to surrender. Traditionally, Native Americans and whites engaged in peaceful trade and negotiations. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when whites began to cheat the Indians. For example, Red Cloud was deceived when he signed the treaty of Traverse de Sioux; despite being guaranteed many benefits, they never materialized, leaving him no choice but to sign or face the annihilation of his tribe. Furthermore, Generals Sherman and Custer repeatedly undertook disastrous actions against innocent Native Americans, such as burning their homes and forcing them into unpleasant situations.

Even though the whites betrayed Native Americans, they couldn't rebel because of Sitting Bull's fate. Surviving meant assimilating. However, the whites treated Indians in a disrespectful and excessively harsh way. Despite our unique upbringings as Native Americans and whites, we are all equal

in God's eyes; thus it's essential to embrace our individuality.

The choice to pursue assimilation was left to Native Americans, who were susceptible to manipulation. Effective communication and honoring commitments could have prevented many tragic events caused by white settlers. However, the government is unlikely to take responsibility for their failures in this regard.

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