In the
article “Destroying a Culture” published in Cricket Media, the author, Pauline Bickford-Duane describes how the U.S used boarding schools, and why they got rid of them. It all started when the U.S government forced
Indians to live on reservations in 1871.
Around 1887 the U.S wanted Indian children to be enrolled in government-funded
boarding schools, they called it the Dawes act.
“The schools would teach young Native Americas how to live in American
Society.” Native Americans were forced
to wear certain clothing. They also weren’t
able to have long hair going to school, it was forbidden. Many Native Americans were ding in the
schools. They would continue to get
diseases that could not be treated at the time.
The schools hoped that The Indian’s would forget their heritage and
adopt the American culture. Later on in
the 20th century “the institute for government research released a
report about Native Americans in the United States.” This was called the Meriam act. It told everyone what was happening in the
boarding schools, how they were being beaten, and left for dead. After this happened the Indian Reorganization
act was created which was supposed to stop Indians to go to boarding
schools. Additionally Indians would receive
some of their land back.
After I read
the article I was completely saddened. I
couldn’t believe that the boarding schools were occurring in the United
States. I really don’t see how the
Native Americans will ever truly forgive the U.S. These boarding schools reminded me of the holocaust. The U.S was slowly killing innocent Native
Americans by living in poor environments.
In a way I think this can be considered murder. How could this be happening in the U.S? The U.S is supposed to set an example for the
rest of the world. The one thing I am
happy about is that the United States is trying to apologies to the Indians,
for what they did to them. Although I
don’t think it will change anything.
similiar to my thoughts i felt saddened and upset thinking about how the native americans were treated during their years at the boarding schools,their land was taken also their language and culture was stripped from them, lots of innocent men,women and children were tortured beaten and even killed while attending these boarding schools. i cant believe these schools were left to run like that for so many years. it makes me wonder how many lives could have been saved if some one would have taken a closer look at the harsh treatment the natives went through
ReplyDeletegood thing its over and no one else has to suffer.