The poverty situation of native people in North America is the result of the European colonization over the centuries. And its review, with the exception of some cases, can be extensive for the colonies in Africa, Asia, and South America.
The Anglo-Saxon
families who first arrived at North America, settle down in Native American’s
territories, and with the support of the Kingdom’s militia, they forced Native
American into less habitable land. They
had to develop new ways of subsistence; they had to become a sedentary tribe
and started to learn the colonizer language, culture, and manners.
They
started to trade with the colonizers, but this was not always a monetary
exchange, but in many cases they were paid with alcohol. The result of this
exchange was the growing alcohol dependence among Natives along the centuries, especially
between men.
The excess
of alcohol mixed with the lack of opportunities, the exclusion, the sense of
helplessness and the government’s indifference, has triggered into a rising
poverty situation among the people of the reservations, without mention that "they have lower education, health care
insurance coverage, and a larger risk of being prison inmates, unemployed, or
low-paid workers"
To be a
Native nowadays it’s a difficult thing. They have had to adapt to a culture
that is not theirs. To other rules, conditions and laws. A modern society that does not accept that
other do not follow its rhythm, a modern society that do not respect those who
don’t want to be part of this capitalist society. . To all this we have to add the fact that they are
still victims of racism, the fact that the society still sees them in a
stereotypical way and the fact that they have been relegated to the shadows of
our society for far too long.
The consequences of colonization, regrettably continue even today, and worse in our society there is no pride in our true origin.But we admire those countries that abused us and they imposed models of life to us. I hope there were such recognition to the people who made the groundwork for today's society.
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ReplyDeleteThe worst part is that natives were in their own lands and suddenly everything changed. Colonizers imposed their world view over them and left no other option, instead of accepting their lifestyles, their differences, traditions, language, etc. I often wonder what went through their minds as they expanded all over the world… The must have been blind by power…
ReplyDeleteI think something similar happens here in Chile, we do not respect them. I think the governments should take more responsability in their problems and help them; and not to leave them apart of the society.
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