Today is the anniversary of the Wounded Knee massacre in 1890. I remember reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown and being shocked and horrified. It's not that I hadn't learned of the massacre in school, but I must say I hadn't learned much in the way of details about it. I'd encourage you to find and read that book. There are several options at Amazon, including free e-book and audio editions with their Audible and Kindle trials. Or I'll bet your library has it.
History sites such as these have information:
There've been video explorations of the tragedy, including this 10-minute video focusing on the Ghost Dance:
Here's the story of the one child who survived the slaughter:
Take a moment during these 12 days of Christmas to reflect on the evil in our history. Reflecting on our present political state in light of these past horrors, I wonder if we've learned anything.
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I wonder.
ReplyDeleteThe more things change the more we're revealed not to have changed at all :(
Delete...one of the many sad moments in American history.
ReplyDeleteI'm still shocked by this one. Like Kent State, this one left a lasting impression on me.
DeleteI read Bury My Heart while in high school or college. Yes, shocked because this was never included in the history that was taught.
ReplyDeleteWe were taught that it happened but not what happened, if that makes sense. The dry way the history books covered "Indian affairs" didn't begin to approach the horror.
DeleteVery sad and horrible what America did to the native americans
ReplyDeleteAnd still does. Disenfranchisement is the latest I hear :(
DeleteThere were terrible days, we can´t imagine all the pain the people could support. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a very Happy New year 2020, with my best wishes.
Big hugs, Caty
Some things take some effort to remember in these days. Happy New Year to you and yours :)
DeleteThank you for remembering this very important day in history. "We" should be ashamed of ourselves for what we have done to people who were not WASPs. Is there any nationality we haven't discriminated against at one time or another? I read about this tragedy in a class in college (undergrad at Missouri Southern). The instructor sat on some board of Indian Affairs, even though he was Caucasian. We also read about the Trail of Tears. Apparently the history books have glossed over the fact that so many tribes were forced to relocate to Tahlequah, OK. I know you have also touched on this trail which ran through your state. Thank you SO much for this. You have brought this to life for me.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I saw your comment on Kent State. I knew nothing about it until I heard the song by CSN&Y. It also was poignant and hard to take when college students can't peacefully protest in their own country.
The song (I remember when it was released right after the killings) has helped keep the Kent State Massacre alive. Music can be an excellent way to highlight historic events.
Delete"I wonder if we've learned anything"... is a question I often ask myself.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Wishes.
All the best Jan
You'd think we would. When I hear people say things like "That's not who we really are," I answer, "It certainly looks like that's _exactly_ who we are". :(
DeleteI've read and seen some documentaries about this event, which is definitely a sad part of our history. I have this book and have just not read it. I should. How we have treated some of our people is really sad and shameful. Thanks for this post. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteIt's a powerful book.
DeleteSouth Dakota isn't far away. I grew up in Minnesota and heard about Wounded Knee and the ghost dance but they never taught us anything at all about Indian history in high school. I never read about it. Was there a book called Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee?
ReplyDeleteYes. There are actually 2 books: one that's the original, and another by the same author that is an adaptation for young people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_My_Heart_at_Wounded_Knee
DeleteThanks for the Information. People never seem to learn from past mistakes, sadly! Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt's a tragedy that we don't seem to learn :(
DeleteSo very sad! Hugs, J x
ReplyDeleteA tragedy :(
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