Reparations for Native Americans

[AlwaysAnarchy]

I think that anyone that reads the history of Native American will be left feeling shattered and disgusted - the way they were killed, and slaughtered and how the European powers all committed genocide against them was wrong and in fact just plain evil. Tens of millions were killed in what was probably the worst genocide in the history of mankind.

Not just that, but it continues today. Native Americans, since losing all their land as it was stolen by the European powers now have been stuck in reservations. However in these reservations there is a high number of suicide rate, drunkeness, and so on. The Native American culture language and their spiritualism that embraces all life and all things are slowly being destroyed...possibly forever.

So what do rev-lefters think should be done to overcome these wrongs? Obvously no money, nothing can make up for genocide but we must do what we can. I think for starters we can give the Native Americans back much of their land in the US West, give them reparations and assist their well-being in any way possible. We must try and make up for our crimes: this doesn't mean we are always hanging our heads in shame, but it does mean that it's never too late to say I'm Sorry.

[More Fire for the People]

What can a revolutionary leftists do? Work with Native American comrades and struggle for a Black Panther style organisation. Concessions alone won't better the conditions of Native Americans, a revolution that overthrows racial oppression will.

[bolshevik butcher]

Class struggle isn't about righting historical wrongs. I want to make this clear. However native americans remain an oppressed and marginalised group in US society, this is where our view on the issue must come from; concrete conditions. Socialists need to help to organise native americans in fighting for their own conditions and within the wider working class.

[LoneRed]

tens of millions? more like a hundred million

[tecumseh]

Originally posted by Hopscotch [email protected] 05, 2006 06:53 pm
What can a revolutionary leftists do? Work with Native American comrades and struggle for a Black Panther style organisation. Concessions alone won't better the conditions of Native Americans, a revolution that overthrows racial oppression will.
So how many decades or centuries do Native Americans have to wait before they are repatriated in any mannner? With these attitudes don't be surprised if Native peoples don't embrace "leftism" and seek other alternatives for gaining equality.

[More Fire for the People]

Originally posted by tecumseh+November 05, 2006 01:07 pm--> (tecumseh @ November 05, 2006 01:07 pm)
Hopscotch [email protected] 05, 2006 06:53 pm
What can a revolutionary leftists do? Work with Native American comrades and struggle for a Black Panther style organisation. Concessions alone won't better the conditions of Native Americans, a revolution that overthrows racial oppression will.
So how many decades or centuries do Native Americans have to wait before they are repatriated in any mannner? With these attitudes don't be surprised if Native peoples don't embrace "leftism" and seek other alternatives for gaining equality. [/b]
I said concessions alone won't better the condition of Native Americans. Racism, poverty, and alienation are products of class society and they can only be tackled by tackling class society.

[bcbm]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2006 01:01 pm
tens of millions? more like a hundred million
At least!

To the question at hand, we should support with whatever we can Native individuals and groups struggling for self-determination and justice, as we would any such struggle of the oppressed and downtrodden.

[YSR]

Support for reperations is progressive, no question. It's unlikely that it will ever happen, but it can be useful for radicalizing people, I think. I said the same thing in a recent topic about slavery reperations.

[Phalanx]

Originally posted by Young Stupid [email protected] 06, 2006 01:37 am
Support for reperations is progressive, no question. It's unlikely that it will ever happen, but it can be useful for radicalizing people, I think. I said the same thing in a recent topic about slavery reperations.
I think it's a stretch to say it will never happen. A major problem in regards to the Reservations is that not many Americans, let alone non-Americans know of their plight.

Action needs to be taken to spotlight the situation. And in this case, the pen is mightier than the sword.

[More Fire for the People]

Originally posted by Tatanka Iyotank+November 05, 2006 08:32 pm--> (Tatanka Iyotank @ November 05, 2006 08:32 pm)
Young Stupid [email protected] 06, 2006 01:37 am
Support for reperations is progressive, no question. It's unlikely that it will ever happen, but it can be useful for radicalizing people, I think. I said the same thing in a recent topic about slavery reperations.
I think it's a stretch to say it will never happen. A major problem in regards to the Reservations is that not many Americans, let alone non-Americans know of their plight. [/b]
That is the fuckin' truth dead out. When I say my great-grandparents lived in the backwoods of Oklahoma in a one room shack with chickens and no electricity until the 1970s, no one believes me.

[Janus]

I think for starters we can give the Native Americans back much of their land in the US West
Not only is that never going to happen in our current system but where would the line be drawn and what would be done about the non-Native Americans living there.

I think we should definitely support the Native American struggle for justice and equality particularly concerning the ongoing plight of the reservation people but there's not a whole lot that can be done right now in our current system.

[Phalanx]

Originally posted by [email protected] 06, 2006 11:41 pm
I think we should definitely support the Native American struggle for justice and equality particularly concerning the ongoing plight of the reservation people but there's not a whole lot that can be done right now in our current system.
The Zapatista movement occurred in a nation just south of America. Why couldn't this happen in America's own backyard?

Something can be done, it's just a question whether or not we're willing to do it. Bringing the issue to the forefront of American society will help, not hurt, the situation on the Reservations.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

What has the "Zapatista movement" accomplished again?


I think it's a stretch to say it will never happen.

It will happen as soon as an authentic revolution takes place. One of the first moves of any genuinely revolutionary movement would be to pay reparations to Indigenous and Black folks.

[Janus]

Why couldn't this happen in America's own backyard?
The US government is willing to exert much more power and force to crush any militant movements in the US as can be seen by the Wounded Knee standoff. Also, the Zapatistas enjoy wider support than the small, isolated reservations so it would be quite difficult to see a repeat.


Bringing the issue to the forefront of American society will help, not hurt, the situation on the Reservations.
Of course, however, what I was saying was that these types of issues will only really come to a forefront if Native American groups integrate more rather than isolate themselves something that the traditionalists are keen on doing.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Oh by the way, see the American Indian Movement, Pine Ridge and Leonard Peltier for info on the U.S. governments attitude towards Indigenous movements.

[Janus]

Oh by the way, see the American Indian Movement, Pine Ridge and Leonard Peltier for info on the U.S. governments attitude towards Indigenous movements.
Yeah, the jailing of Leonard Peltier just highlights how the general public is oblivious to many of the present injustices being done to the Native American people.

For anyone interested, the video "Incident at Oglala" covers all those issues.

[Phalanx]

Originally posted by Compañ[email protected] 07, 2006 01:37 am
Oh by the way, see the American Indian Movement, Pine Ridge and Leonard Peltier for info on the U.S. governments attitude towards Indigenous movements.
I'm quite aware of the governments attitude, thanks. If you'd visit Pine Ridge, or any Reservation, you'd see the anger that festers there.


The US government is willing to exert much more power and force to crush any militant movements in the US as can be seen by the Wounded Knee standoff. Also, the Zapatistas enjoy wider support than the small, isolated reservations so it would be quite difficult to see a repeat.

But if the US were to crush a rebellion, the world would see how truly evil it is. And although the reservations are isolated, a true rebellion would most likely gain widespread support through all Reservations.

[Martin Blank]

Originally posted by bolshevik [email protected] 05, 2006 02:00 pm
Class struggle isn't about righting historical wrongs. I want to make this clear. However native americans remain an oppressed and marginalised group in US society, this is where our view on the issue must come from; concrete conditions. Socialists need to help to organise native americans in fighting for their own conditions and within the wider working class.
Most Native Americans will respond that they've had enough "help" from whites over the years, thankyouverymuch. Any solution to the problems faced by Native Americans/First Nations will have to come from within, not from without. There will first have to be a Native communist movement with a strong measure of autonomy if there is to be any of the unity you seek.

Miles

[bolshevik butcher]

I agree communist league, I didn't suggest sending a bunch of white socialsits up to a native american reservation of what have you trying to seel papers and screaming htat socialism is the only way. Any movement of Native Americans inside the socials movement should certianly have autonaumous caucuses etc. However that's not to say that socailsits that arent native americans cannot offer them solidarity.

[Martin Blank]

Originally posted by bolshevik [email protected] 07, 2006 12:09 pm
I agree communist league, I didn't suggest sending a bunch of white socialsits up to a native american reservation of what have you trying to seel papers and screaming htat socialism is the only way. Any movement of Native Americans inside the socials movement should certianly have autonaumous caucuses etc. However that's not to say that socailsits that arent native americans cannot offer them solidarity.
Fair enough. I guess I'm a little touchy on this issue because the League has Native American members, and we've had this discussion about things.

Miles

[Janus]

But if the US were to crush a rebellion, the world would see how truly evil it is. And although the reservations are isolated, a true rebellion would most likely gain widespread support through all Reservations.
Sure but then that militancy would dissappear quickly as people will be drawn into the courts. The world already knows about the "evils" of the US government particularly in regards to what they have already done to the Native Americans and a rebellion now wouldn't have a significant impact either way.

[CoexisT]

I've not taken party in it, but I hear that Project Red Feather (http://www.redfeather.org/) is a great experience, and instead of mere charity it actually helps the Native Americans by giving them an environmentally stable home (insulation is hay bails).

Just a thought if you're interested.