I'm sitting in Wal-Mart at the benches by the pharmacy waiting for my prescriptions to be done the other day. A gentleman around my age was sitting next to me, and started making conversation. As a polite individual, I closed by book and entered the conversation.
He started out by complaining about how the general view that Native Americans get special treatment is false. He's a Native American, and some contretemps with a college had him quite angry. I'm not sure of the details, and maybe he was treated unfairly. On the other hand, I really don't think that being a Native American should qualify someone for special treatment.
I'm sorry, it's just how I feel.
He finished his monologue with the statement that "white people should just go back to Europe." I was speechless- a very rare occurrence. It reminded me of Helen Thomas' quote "They should go back to their land" (whether she was referring to those living in Palestine- Jews or not- or just the Jews...I'm not going to get into a debate over the interpretation of her comments).
I was wondering exactly what year this gentleman wanted us to go back to. Apparently, it was before Europeans came to America. But why should everyone move back to where they were living in the 1400's? Why not the 1200's? or 1 B.C.? or ten thousand years ago? Maybe we should all move back to the Mesopotamian cradle where civilization started out? You know, all 6 billion of us. How long does a group of people have to live somewhere before they're "allowed" to stay? Isn't 400 years long enough?
It's a fact of life and history that people migrate. They expand into new lands, move around, try to find a better place. I've never been to Europe. My great-grandparents have never been to Europe. I've done the family history. We're not Europeans. We're Americans. And I'm staying.
Thanks to Salvatore Vuono to the picture! Check out his picture portfolio at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659
He started out by complaining about how the general view that Native Americans get special treatment is false. He's a Native American, and some contretemps with a college had him quite angry. I'm not sure of the details, and maybe he was treated unfairly. On the other hand, I really don't think that being a Native American should qualify someone for special treatment.
I'm sorry, it's just how I feel.
He finished his monologue with the statement that "white people should just go back to Europe." I was speechless- a very rare occurrence. It reminded me of Helen Thomas' quote "They should go back to their land" (whether she was referring to those living in Palestine- Jews or not- or just the Jews...I'm not going to get into a debate over the interpretation of her comments).
I was wondering exactly what year this gentleman wanted us to go back to. Apparently, it was before Europeans came to America. But why should everyone move back to where they were living in the 1400's? Why not the 1200's? or 1 B.C.? or ten thousand years ago? Maybe we should all move back to the Mesopotamian cradle where civilization started out? You know, all 6 billion of us. How long does a group of people have to live somewhere before they're "allowed" to stay? Isn't 400 years long enough?
It's a fact of life and history that people migrate. They expand into new lands, move around, try to find a better place. I've never been to Europe. My great-grandparents have never been to Europe. I've done the family history. We're not Europeans. We're Americans. And I'm staying.
Thanks to Salvatore Vuono to the picture! Check out his picture portfolio at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=659
