The lies you were taught about Native Americans

Mon 26 Sep 2011 by abagond

The following is based on chapter four of James W. Loewen’s “Lies My Teacher Told Me” (2008). It uses his facts but it is not quite how he put it:

American high schools teach history to make you proud of America. They have to do this in the teeth of one of the greatest crimes of history: wiping out Native Americans and taking their land, more farmland than in all of China. To do this they lie about Native Americans.

The lies:

North America was mostly empty. Just a few tribes of hunter-gatherers here and there travelling through virgin wilderness.
Natives were backward, too backward to farm the land, too backward to understand land as property.
Natives were incapable of change, incapable of successfully living in civilized society.
The tragedy that unfolded was unavoidable. There was no other reasonable outcome.

What we are supposed to conclude: It was unavoidable, no one is at fault. There was all this land just sitting there for the taking, land that natives were barely using. Since natives could not change or successfully live in civilized society there was little that could be done but push them aside into reservations. Or kill them if they put up a fight.

The truth (as best we know it so far):

Far from being empty, North America had about 45 million people when Columbus arrived. About 20 million lived in what is now the U.S. Genocide and disease wiped out millions, but even in the early 1800s it was still so unempty that tribes had to be moved out of the way by the American government before whites could easily move in and take their land.
Most natives were farmers when Columbus arrived. They even taught the Pilgrims how to farm. Some natives were hunter-gatherers, of course, but most were not till whites drove them off their land or made hunting for furs and slaves much more profitable than farming.
Natives understood land as property. We know that because of the treaties where they ask for fishing rights and so on. The main difference was that they generally saw land as being held in common by the tribe as opposed to belonging to a single person.
War, genocide and reservations were hardly the only possible course of action. We know that because other policies were proposed in Congress, like giving natives citizenship or their own state. We know that because in Canada and Mexico the French and Spanish mixed with the natives instead of wiping them out wholesale. We know that because there used to be places in America where whites, blacks and natives lived together as one. Multiracial society could and did work.
White racism was the main reason natives were unsuccessful in “civilized” society. Most important was their lack of full rights as citizens. That made it easy for whites to screw them over in court, take their property and then call them shiftless. Or just kill them outright when it suited them.

See also:

Posted in stuff | 48 Comments

48 Responses

on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 13:10:00 Bulanik

@Abagond
Interesting post. Thanks.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 13:52:35 King

North America was mostly empty. Just a few tribes of hunter-gatherers here and there travelling through virgin wilderness.

Well we know that wasn’t true since Cortez ran right into the large Native-American empire of the Aztecs. There were still remnants of the Toltec and Mayan cities in Mexico and Guatemala. These were fairly large sized cites with many villages as well. Here is a rendering of the Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlan.

http://wiki.chadblack.net/images/e/ea/Map.jpg

It should probably be noted that a larger portion of the 45 million inhabitants of North America, at the time of Columbus, lived in the population-dense empires of Mexico. The Areas where the US and Canada were later established were, in fact, sparsely populated, as compared with most other large land masses in the world at that time.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 14:22:36 sam

Good post!
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 15:45:50 sepultura13

Excellent post. Let’s not forget the biggest lie – the so-called “Thanksgiving” feast and holiday! The Native Americans helped the starving settlers; the thanks they received was slaughter…
I have been calling it “Thanks-for-taking Day” for years.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 16:57:31 Parfum Bleu

Outside of the origin of Thanksgiving Day; Squanto; Pocahontas; and the Caucasian gift to the “indians” of small pox infected blankets, I don’t recall being taught anything about Native Americans in school.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 18:08:40 Demerera

^
As the post above states – I couldn’t believe it when I learned the reality of Thanksgiving. I have grown up knowing this as a widely celebrated holiday in the U.S but tell me, is it common to have people who DONT join in with the festivities due to the history behind things?
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 18:58:58 brothawolf

Great post.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 22:02:01 chantale reve

Excellent post (and just in time for Canada’s Thanksgiving).
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 22:15:26 Emanuelle

Columbus never actually touched american soil, he died after sailing into the Americas (ie Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba) he died coming back from a trip to the America’s still thinking he had sailed to Asia. I just thought I would let you know.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 22:15:33 e-dub

Speak for yourself, I read the Native American history for myself and I didn’t let my teachers brain wash me any more then I will let you.
on Wed 28 Sep 2011 at 22:52:26 Matari

@ Demerera

“but tell me, is it common to have people who DONT join in with the festivities due to the history behind things?”
——————————-

I suspect it’s not too common. I’ve never met or known of anyone personally who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving out of protest. In general it’s a very “social” holiday in America centered on family and friends gathering together to supposedly “give thanks” for their blessings, or gorge themselves on the traditional/typical Thanksgiving Day cuisine (turkey and “the fixings”) or both.

@Abagond

Seems to me that the Indigenous folks were the “civilized” people. One example: they knew how to live “in tune” with the Earth, something the “omniscient folks” are now only learning.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 05:55:39 sam

@emmanuelle: True, but he is still celebrated as the explorer who “found” America, even though the vikings had been in New Foundland some hundreds of years earlier and irish monks propably even earlier, not to mention those millions of native nations who habited the continent.

The question here is what is the history of USA and why it is told and given the way it is, even though we all know that it is not the truth. Why, in this century, the old myth of the history is still advanced as the real history?
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 07:51:49 Joe

In Africa in the early sixties there used to be this saying, sometimes attributed to Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya while at other times to Joshua Nkomo of Zambia:

When the white men came to Africa, they had the Bible and we had the land. Now, we have the Bible and they have our land!
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 11:24:52 sam

@joe: In USA the natives had to buy the damn book also when it became mandatory for them.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 12:56:48 jas0nburns

“Why, in this century, the old myth of the history is still advanced as the real history?”

it’s not really these days. Abagond’s version here is what was taught probably up until the 70′s or 80′s maybe in grade school. My son is in high school now but by 7th grade he had been made quite aware of the evils of colonialism.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 13:24:33 abagond

The history of Native Amercans that is taught in American high schools is much better than it was in the 1950s. They are no longer called savages, for example. But the lies given in the post are still being pushed by most of the main textbooks used in the 1990s and 2000s. Loewen surveyed 18 such textbooks. A few will get things right but most do not.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 13:50:40 jas0nburns

Maybe my kid just goes to a good school then, because I distinctly remember him going through a period of trying to reconcile everything he had been taught about colonialism and slavery with the fact that he is himself white.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 13:58:37 jas0nburns

Seriously Abagond you need to read 1491 if you haven’t already. I’m reading it right now.

The author gives a good breakdown in this NPR interview.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4805434
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 15:37:13 Demerera

@Matari

‘I suspect it’s not too common. I’ve never met or known of anyone personally who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving out of protest’

Thanks for responding. I am surprised about that though. Maybe a stupid question but do native Americans actually join in the festivities too?
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 16:45:26 King

@ Demerera

I know some who do… but it’s mostly because they want to eat turkey.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 20:10:47 Jess

Here are two I always hear:

1)They were savages and their ‘civilizations’, such as the Mayans, are not worthy to be in the ranks of other great civilizations.

2)No one owned the U.S. in the first place, so this isn’t in any way ‘their’ land.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 20:15:58 Jess

Along with #2(I think their correlated) I sometimes come across the:

“They came from Asia, so it was never really ‘their’ land, ” argument.
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 22:19:03 Demerera

@ Jess

‘They were savages’

I too have heard this said. This is ALWAYS said about the indiginous people of any land that non-indiginous people took over that or ‘we brought Christianity to this land’.

@ King

So I guess as its a celebrated holiday??? in the U.S, people regardless of heritage use it as a reason to get together with family and friends…to eat Turkey Yet Christmas is only round the corner!
on Thu 29 Sep 2011 at 23:01:51 King

@ Demerera

Turkey… and stuffing/dressing, and corn and dinner rolls, and macaroni and cheese, and greens, and dirty rice, and probably creamy mashed potatoes, and string beans, covered with those really good little breaded onion ring things. And then, of course you have to have sweet potato pie with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg.

You can see why my Native American friends are more than willing to dig in.
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 00:50:38 WarrenAZ

@King

Green Bean Casserole is just wrong.
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 02:06:20 mochasister

@ WarrenAZ

Cosign.

@ Demerera

I have heard of some Native Americans who refuse to celebrate Thanksgiving because of what was done to their ancestors. I can’t say that I blame them. Having said that I do enjoy the food and getting together with my family. My family and I only prepare soul food during the holidays (it’s very fattening and not very healthy, but oh so good!) so that’s my time to enjoy it without worrying so much about calories!
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 02:50:54 King

Green Bean Casserole is just wrong

It may be wrong, my brotha, but it sure tastes right!
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 02:50:55 Origin

“Psychopathy (/saɪˈkɒpəθi/[1][2]) is a mental disorder characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness. Psychopaths are highly prone to antisocial behavior and abusive treatment of others, and are very disproportionately responsible for violent crime. Though lacking empathy and emotional depth, they often manage to pass themselves off as normal people by feigning emotions and lying about their pasts.”

–Wikipedia
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 03:00:32 Origin

The culture is pyschopathological. To the extent that each individual is or isn’t, s/he is bothered less or more by what has been done in the name of white supremacy racism.
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 04:08:02 Matari

^ Thank you for the Psychopathy definition.

As far as I’m concerned: Psychopathy=Super Pathology=Super Pathological=Sociopath=DELUSIONAL=Whiteness=Euro-centric=White Supremacy=Doctrine of Whiteness (an unspoken and unwritten global RELIGION that’s based upon SKIN COLOR practiced by millions of whites and some non-white people)=RACISM.
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 04:11:33 abagond

@ Origin:

Thank you.
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 06:57:44 sam

@king; I would like to remind here about something Paul Boucusse (who was once touted as the chef of the century in some fancy pants chef thing) once said, when he was told that he uses too much sugar, salt, wine and butter in his foods: I am a cook, not a doctor.
on Fri 30 Sep 2011 at 15:02:36 Ann

What?! You mean they didn’t paint with all the colours of the wind? Way to spoil the mysticism…
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 09:50:54 Demerera

@mochasister

‘My family and I only prepare soul food during the holidays (it’s very fattening and not very healthy, but oh so good!) so that’s my time to enjoy it without worrying so much about calories!’

Mmm, mmm! My mouth is watering at the thought. I need an invite lol. So what does the menu consist of? Turkey (I would pass on that one) collard greens, cornbread, (love that).

I am not surprised that Native Americans would abstein from joining in the festivities – do you think htat many feel marginilased by a society that still seems to think it is ‘ok’ to celebrate something that has such horrible circumstances surrounding its origin?
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 09:54:47 Demerera

@King

Turkey… and stuffing/dressing, and corn and dinner rolls, and macaroni and cheese, and greens, and dirty rice, and probably creamy mashed potatoes, and string beans, covered with those really good little breaded onion ring things. And then, of course you have to have sweet potato pie with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg.

OK, What is dirty rice? Macaroni Cheese, mmm, my mum makes that – its part of a good ole West Inidian feast that is.

Whenever I hear the words Sweet Potato Pie it puts me in mind of the song by Domino of the same name and for that reason it sounds nice – never had it though I would forgoe the whipped cream – yeuchh.
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 16:16:45 Manson

Why be surprised? Remember that Belgian murderer in Africa, King Leopold?
Whites are savages. Not today? Ask the Afghans, Iraqis, Somalis, Sudanese, Libyans , Palestinians, Diego Garcians
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 16:25:36 King

@ Demerera

What’s Dirty Rice!!???

http://annasrecipebox.com/2009/08/26/dirty-rice/

But you can also make it vegetarian (since you don’t like turkey)

http://www.bobsredmill.com/blog/2011/05/02/meatless-monday-recipe-renovator-vegetarian-dirty-rice/

Sweet Potato Pie it puts me in mind of the song by Domino of the same name and for that reason it sounds nice – never had it though.

WHAT? Never had it???? Why this is a modern travesty! It’s much too good not to taste! You must eat a slice before you die.

http://magiesplace.info/BLOG/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/swp.jpg
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 20:22:50 sam

Actually it was back in the 80′s when some native american activists declared Thanksgiving as a official day of mourning for all the native american nations. The native friends I had back then told me that every thanksgiving they cursed that the first one ever became. This, while eating turkey and stuff.

I never liked turkey. I do not know why. No matter how it was done by whom, how much people raved about it. Just not for my taste. I am more of ham man. I guess some form of cannibalism.
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 22:52:15 Demerera

@King

‘Dirty rice sounds nice’ judging from the recipe you attach

My sons a lil chef in the making – p’raps we will try to re-create that ‘Sweet Potatoe Pie between us
on Sat 1 Oct 2011 at 22:53:47 Demerera

@ Sam

‘I never liked turkey. I do not know why. No matter how it was done by whom, how much people raved about it. Just not for my taste’

Agree with you there – much prefer fish, though i’m not a veggie
on Sun 2 Oct 2011 at 06:00:49 sam

@demerera: yeah, fish well done! Any day over turkey!!
on Sun 2 Oct 2011 at 14:59:31 The Cynic

I always thought the “Native Americans didn’t believe in owning property” thing was WAY TOO convenient(for racist whites) to be true.
on Mon 3 Oct 2011 at 19:09:58 Tyrone

Abagond:

Evil doesn’t last forever, native-americans should always remember this universal truth. All of the destruction and heartache that has been reaped upon amerindians in “The Americas” can be reversed and changed for the greater good of their race. Indians and mestizos who hail from central and south america are native-americans just the same. God will give it back to them brick by brick, state by state, region by region. It’s in their hands, Abagond!

Tyrone
on Thu 27 Oct 2011 at 03:18:33 pahana

Native America before Columbus. A land of peace. No Indian ever killed another, and hate was a word not yet known. Where all the natives lived in harmony and voluntarily gave of themselves for the greater good. Even until the very end, when the priest would cut out the still-beating heart from the sacrifice. (Mayans) Or maybe this never happened. Just another lie by the ‘white devil’.

Come on, like Indians never had battles/wars. The Indians were just outgunned. If it would have been the other way around not a tear would have been shed.
on Thu 3 Nov 2011 at 16:06:03 Demerera

Hi all

Been wondering about Thanksgiving and the Native American reaction response to this. Looking on the web, I see that on the same day as Thanksgiving, there is something called National Day of Mourning which is an annual protest dating back to the 70′s which was organised by the NA. Apparently, it is as a reminder of the democide suffered by NA and the continued suffering therein.

Is there much awareness of this in Amerian Culture?
on Mon 23 Jan 2012 at 00:11:56 Adeen Danica Mckenzie

No there is no awareness of this in the American Culture. Like they don’t care about Native Amerins, they don’t lcareabout Blacks like me. Good day.
on Fri 10 Feb 2012 at 07:30:19 anglesanddimensions

Abagond, in many ways, your blog is a treasure trove.
on Fri 10 Feb 2012 at 14:31:54 B-C-C White History Month « HARLEMVIEWS

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