This speech is difficult for me to understand. Chief Seattle was a lot more hostile than Sa-go-ye-wat-ha was but that is perfectly understandable. He had a better understanding that the white men didn't respect the Native Americans as they probably should have. The white men lied and cheated all too frequently. They took advantage of the Native Americans given nature. It seemed like Chief Seattle had all this in mind during his speech.
What struck me as sad is that even though Chief Seattle had some sort of hatred for the white men he still had to agree to their arrangement and move his people to a reservation. He also seemed to have the foresight to know that there would be issues with his people being to see the barial grounds of their ancestors.
I believe that each nation and race has their own great pride for their culture and people but it is that pride that allows them to be defeated before their time. The Native Americans didn't stand much of a chance against the greater technology of the colonists but their pride probably allowed them to be defeated easier than they could have. I am not blaming the Native Americans for their own demise but I do think that things would be much different if each nation that faces a large challenge can get past their pride.
Likewise the new Americans may have had a brighter beginning if they respected the Native Americans and learned to work together. As far as I can recall there have never been any real alliance between a civilized culture and a tribal or savage (for lack of a better term) culture. It would be very interesting to see what Native Americans would be like now if the two people could get along.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Chief Seattle
Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha
One of the greatest things that bugs me with the more religous crowd is how they push themselves and their religion on others. Where I live we will have street fairs every thursday for about two months during summer. Most of the time there is a small group of christians who gather at the corners of the street fair with signs and banners talking about God and how to become 'saved'. Some of them will approach people and ask them if they want to hear more. That does not bother me. The other few people will yell at people who don't pay them any attention or act differently from the average person. Sometimes they are provoked by kids who want to act tough and get in their face. Most of the times it appears as though its unprovoked.
In the story of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha the missionary instantly got on my nerves. His close minding behavior is a bad representation of his religion. As for the speach by the native america, I have to say that I loved how thoughtful he was of the missionaries feelings even though there have been such bad experiences between the Colonists and the Native Americans.
