Thank you, Professor. This is the truth of history that must be shared so that we don’t repeat past mistakes. Growing up in suburban Philly, precious little history of our treatment toward indigenous peoples was shared in our American history curriculum. Moving to Florida when my kids were young, I learned from them the story of the forc…
Thank you, Professor. This is the truth of history that must be shared so that we don’t repeat past mistakes. Growing up in suburban Philly, precious little history of our treatment toward indigenous peoples was shared in our American history curriculum. Moving to Florida when my kids were young, I learned from them the story of the forced march of native Americans from the Everglades-shared briefly in their classes but new info to me. Now watching Desantis further sanitize educational policies here (raising, according to experts, a next generation of ignorant racists who will be part of his base), I lament the outcome that will only ensure further division, racism, bias, and hatred toward people of color or anyone who isn’t white, wealthy, mostly male, hetero. He can NEVER attain national office.
Again, thank you-you help me continue to grow and inspire me to learn more. Good teachers invite a thirst for knowledge-and you are the BEST. Thanks.
Jen, I grew up in Minneapolis, about two hours away from the site where this execution took place. At that time, Minneapolis had the largest population of urban-dwelling Native people of any large city in the US. My grandparents attended a Catholic church in the city that had mostly Native parishioners and as a kid, I loved attending their church because of all the beadwork I saw (I’m now a beadweaver myself).
I learned this terrible history as a child. It still makes me weep and grieve for my Native friends and all that they have lost because of white racism and greed.
Sadly though, just last week at a holiday gathering at a neighbor’s house, one of them brought up the recent change of name for the middle school she attended in St.Paul. Formerly call Alexander Ramsey for the Governor who authorized the mass execution of the Santee, it is now called Hidden River. The new name is a nod to the Native residents’ original name for the area- which includes an underground creek that drains into the Mississippi. Her oldest daughter owns the house Ann grew up in and two of Ann’s grandkids attend Hidden River.
Ann’s objection to the name change? What was the problem? It was named for a former governor. Why wasn’t that prestige upheld? Why change it?
When I noted that Ramsey had owned slaves and authorized the largest mass execution in US history knowing those to be hanged had not had a proper trial, she got that “deer in the headlights” look. She literally had no clue. She did not know Ramsey’s history at all. To her credit and the credit of all in that room, we talked about the execution for a few minutes and our Native neighbor chimed in with all manner of details that helped shine a light.
As you say, the truth of our history must be shared.
Wow, Sheila, I'm impressed that your guests were gracious and intelligent enough to have that conversation. I really appreciate your sharing that story. It sparked a flame of hope in me🙏
Thank you, Sheila B. for doing your part in that conversation. Too many people are afraid to even gently shake things up. We all need to be better at standing up for what we believe -- to be “Up-standers” -- not Bystanders in these conversations. Thank you.
A couple of times I have heard racist comments including one against Native Americans in my husband's presence. None of us said anything, he and I because we were at the neighbors and these were their friends. We felt lousy the next day that we had remained silent. We would not allow such comments in our own home, however, but then, none of our friends would say anything like that.
We have been discussing my husband's Lakota ancestry a lot recently. His maternal grandmother knew all about this connection and visited her relatives. She did not tell her daughter, his mother, or anyone else. His paternal grandmother was one of those whose motto was, "the only good Indian is a........ " When I was small and we took a trip out west, I can remember my father saying about California which he hated, that we could "give it back to the Indians." Fortunately, I had a teacher and her husband who were good friends and who had taught among the Navaho and had great respect for them and their culture, so I had the opportunity to learn a different view from them.
I have just given my husband a book about indigenous America by the same author who wrote Lakota America as the first book in our Christmas book giving. The author is a Finn who is a don at Oxford. As an aside, my first book is about Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici.
We have a similar background in our family. Whether it was shame or early separation of the family, the history of our Native ancestor was not talked about until I was adult. Likewise, it took awhile to know the extend of the atrocity led by another ancestor, Col John Chivington, who led the Colorado Volunteers in the Sand Creek Massacre. Our family talks about both these facts of our past, and when I tell the stories, there is often shock. Likewise acknowledging that our ancestors were slave holders. In truth, it’s a sad and bitter past to hold on to and to own, but the history of the other side, who were the victims, is much sadder. We talk about reparations and formal apologies, but so far have not done anything. Where to start? Telling the shameful stories is a good place. And as I tell them, I know that others in the room have stories to own as well; their families just haven’t owned them yet and may never.
We think that one of the reasons that my husband's maternal grandmother said nothing is that her husband's family were part of the military, including a war against Native Americans in southern Oregon. We have orders written by the commander of this unit and among other things, he suggests eating Native Americans if necessary. And if the soldiers did not carry out his orders, they would be mentioned unfavorably in his report. My husband's great grandfather on that side was also a preacher who died in the pulpit of a local church.
My great grandmother had a slave until 1863 and I did not know this until I got into genealogy. I am certain that that other ancestors had slaves as well. All of my relatives that I grew up with were prejudiced against anyone who was not like them. In addition to Native Americans and POC that included Catholics and Jews as well.
What a horror story: "eat [them] if necessary"! I wonder if anyone other than you, who reads this site, ever dreamed that our military could give such an order! Hitler, or worse, here in the 1860's United States, and not a word about ANY of it to be allowed into the American History textbooks if deSantis & Co. have their way. Wouldn't want to make any white kids feel bad about anything that their ancestors may have done, after all, would we?
My great-great-great grandfather, Charlie Crane was Choctaw in MS. As the dilution goes, my grandmother and her siblings were 1/4 Choctaw, and in a family foto in the early 1940s you could see it in their facial features. (When I was stationed in Texas in the Air Force I noticed many Mexican ppl looked like my great aunts & uncles).
I wish I knew the circumstances of their marriage but almost all southerners can find Native American in their family backgrounds.
My nephew’s, by marriage, mother came from the Choctaw tribe. Unfortunately, his family life was riddled with abuse and alcoholism. I blame the government for their horrible treatment of Native Americans and black Americans. As we have observed over the past 6 years, especially, denialism by whites is the constant thread in their lives.
Sheila, thank you so much for sharing this bit of hope. I live in Florida now, to be a support for our divorced son and our Vietnamese-American grandson. My husband and son are both dt supporters, of the “but look at all the good he did for...” variety. They can’t see what may happen to my grandbaby by their support of the current GQP and DeSantis.
I’m so thankful to know there are good folks like you in Minnesota - I hope to find some down here.
It's really hard not to have friends nearby who share your views and values, as it sounds like is your situation. The truth is, nowhere is completely Trumpian, even if some have to keep it a little on the quiet side. I hope you find a community of people who you can express yourself around.
A party may be the best place for such conversations. Guests are equal at most parties, so there is no felt lecturing. Congratulations to all present and thank you for this account. It should go to the deaf ears (and perhaps blind eyes) of DeSantis and Floridians.
Kudos for helping your neighbor understand and having a discussion about the treatment of local Native Americans. Yes, to her credit and credit to all of you. This does not happen often enough.
Sheila, it sounds like you must have stated the facts in a way that your neighbor could hear you and learn something new. It's a real gift to both have the courage to speak up in a setting where it might be easier to let things slide, and to be able to do it in a way that opens up, rather than closes off, conversation.
In 1982 when my wife & I first came to Miami, our daughter enrolled in Robert E. Lee Middle School. Even this far south, away from the obvious Dixie the confederacy still reigned. Of course it was segregated by race then because of state law and locally blacks & whites did not share the same beach to swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Ironically, it was mostly Black & Hispanic kids going to Robert E. Lee school. It has since been demolished and the new one has an Hispanic name.
I live in Hernando County. The county seat is Brooksville. There is a rebel statue on the courthouse lawn, on a rather short pedestal, with an iron fence protecting it, dedicated on June 3, 1916 by the UDC. It belongs to them and they are active caretakers - they added the fence in 2017.
There is also a mural, painted in 2004, of the “Brooksville Raid,” which occurred on June 3, 1864. There was an annual reenactment for forty years, but in 2020 the Tampa Bay Boy Scouts of America declined to renew their agreement allowing the reenactors to use their 1,300-acre Sand Hill Scout Reservation. I have no doubt they are looking for some other venue for the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida.
I grew up in Virginia, halfway between Washington, DC and Richmond. I’ve studied and taught the War of Southern Rebellion. And I would never have thought anything happened in Florida during that era. And yet…
I lived in Gainesville in the 1990s. There was a very active KKK group there, usually protesting the Gay Rights events. I got fotos of them at one of our picnics - Praying before robing up. What would Jesus say?
Bravo Sheila! Kindly explaining the reason for the school’s name change to your friend was a brave thing to do in the midst of a party. And Bravo to your friend who listened to understand, along with the further discussion with all at the party.
Having respectful conversations like that is the best thing we can do to shine a light on the truth.
I share your appreciation for Professor Richardson's letters - and this is one I am very thankful for. I knew none of this, though I have read a good deal about what was done to the indigenous peoples of the USA as the nation was evolving. It's interesting to me that your children were able to learn about the plight of the native Americans who lived in the Everglades ... I grew up in Tampa and there was hardly ever any mention of native Americans of any kind in our schooling (which took place back in the 60's, admittedly.) I've lived most of my adult life in Europe (work and marriage took me there) - and it wasn't until I was in Europe that I started learning more about how badly we as whites had treated non-white people. I agree with you about De Santis - I hate to think about what might happen if he gets even moer power than he has now.
Sadly, it WILL appeal to those individuals and may well lead to more atrocities and injustices if he were to win primaries and be elected. (Needless to say, his "DOJ" will NOT promote true justice for nonwhites.)
Sadly, many former trump supporters have swiftly swung their support over to disantis. And until someone with true leadership/unification skills and far more integrity can rise from the ranks of the "traditional" republican party - someone who will undeniably put country over party or self - disantis will probably be the gop frontrunner.
Florida is a state where slavery exists and DeSantis as its leader supports it in more ways than one. For one, it has legalized slavery through the 13th Amendment right to enslave people in prison. And, those who have been in prison in Florida lose their right to vote it appears. So, in essence, in Florida doing the time does not mean paying for your crimes. Secondly, there is slavery amongst the agricultural workers in Florida. Not only did I read about a slave camp of Haitian men in Florida many years ago, but I continue to read about immigrant workers not getting paid at all for their work and threatened with deportation while living in deplorable conditions.
So, while DeSantis pretends that he does not need the immigrants coming to this country at all, his state's agricultural industry needs them, but he does not discuss that. DeSantis is a lowdown, slimy, weasel and there is no way I see him winning in Illinois.
I think you have hit on something that must be exposed on the national level, and beginning NOW. Far too many outside FL (but probably even many Floridians) have no clue how deplorable on every level the present governor there is.
I am hoping that after New York Let George Santos slide in without the rigorous checking that should have been done before the election, we will not have such sloppiness again. If not on the part of the press, then at least the Democratic party should investigate people and get it out there. This youtube video of DeSantis raising his children on the Teats of Trump might be a good one to drag out if he announces he is running, to tie him to his true beliefs.
While the no leaning seems like if they all went Republican they could throw the vote, but that is not what happens. Either some vote either way, or they don't vote, or they vote for other candidates .
Since it is Christmas, and Jesus is just born, I have to say "Jesus!" as a swear word, that I think he would approve of if he were alive today.
Despite the controversial above sentence, I whole-heartedly agree on your statement that DeSantis cannot be allowed to obtain national office and attempt to frack up (the Battlestar Galactica swear word) the educational system in blue states. (Red is already likely fracked up.)
More than one philosopher has pointed out that those who ignore history are eventually forced to relive it. And those who encourage such ignoring of history, like Floriduh's governor, are to blame. To use a stronger word but one with the same root, those who promote ignoring history are in the business of promoting ignorance. ... even extending beyond history.
And yet, the Governor of Floriduh who ignores history was recently re-elected by a landsclide. There is a remedy for that and it is the spreading of knowledge, such as that imparted daily by HCR. Introducing others to 'Letters from an American' is a good way to start.
And I never knew about the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII until I moved from MA to WA where it was taught to 4th graders learning state history. I was disgusted my country did such a thing. These people were given some reparations by President Clinton, and then the whole nation knew the story. What a world, where now this bit of US history totally relates to the war in Ukraine. We are all connected always. Good can happen too.
Philadelphia the site of the police bombing an enclave of people who were protesting injustices to their clan! Not 19th century history, happened late 20th century!
Now, suppression takes the form of illegal ‘voter rights’ laws, especially limiting voting opportunities on Native American lands!
That bombing happened in my neighborhood here in West Philly--it was PTSD-inducing! I will never forget the plumes of smoke...and the smell....
I wonder if the Whites that want to sanitize history so that their kids won't feel uncomfortable learning about the mass murders their White ancestors committed would be OK with this bombing since a Black mayor ordered it on Black protesters....
Very powerful note that the mayor at the time was a black person. Brings to mind Clarence Thomas who has turned his back on the very people who fought for the benefits he reaped!
He's without compunction and any ethical fiber. After overturning Roe vs Wade, it's like let's consider looking to do the same with same-sex marriage, if not with same-sex sex, and of course, contraception. There was even talk about reconsidering interracial marriage. With two interracial marriages involving two of the justices and another involving the VP of the US, I was giddily waiting for that opinion...Thomas and a slew of others need to butt out of other people's bodies and their bedrooms....
"...the forced march of native Americans from the Everglades...."
I hadn't heard of the Seminoles on a forced march. Spending my adolescence (the 1960s) in Lakeland, I was taught in school that the Seminoles never signed a treaty with the U.S. government. Further, that they were the only tribe in the U.S. who had not signed such a treaty; the reason being that the hostile environment in the Everglades overwhelmed the U.S. Army troops as so many soldiers died of disease alone. My handful of friends and I (all whites) took a certain pride in the Seminoles' independent stand. Personally, I never heard a bad word about the Seminoles during my life in Florida. After all, some of us just realized that it was their land to start with.
The pride that you mention is reflected in Florida State's teams being called the 'Seminoles,' but that doesn't really make up for the sorry treatment of Native Americans that the growing nation, as it expanded, carried out. The NFL team in Washington, the MLB team in Cleveland, and many others have gotten rid of such team names. FSU would be wise to do the same, along with other schools (including my old high school back in Newark) still using what amount to ethnic or racial team nicknames.
Absolutely. Nothing can make up for the sorry treatment of Native Americans. I believe the greedy land barons who benefitted immensely from taking the Natives land should be the first to pay back for what was taken. For example, the King Ranch in Texas has 825,000 acres of Native American land. And the King Farm in Florida currently farms about 20,000 acres of very productive, organic land in Florida in thee Everglades region (Seminole territory). And the railroad tycoons who benefitted so much from Native lands. Now, Bill Gates has about 270,000 acres of fertile farmland in multiple states. He's not likely to compensate the Native Americans in any way for it.
Ref. the sports teams' names with American Indian references, I have mixed thoughts about that past. I can understand most of all why the "Redskins" should be changed. It's derogatory. I can understand changing the teams named "The Indians" also. In terms of "The Braves" and "The Seminoles," I don't see the names as derogatory. I seem them as references to the Native bravery, prowess, and stealth. Still, I imagine all the names will change. So be it.
Thank you, Professor. This is the truth of history that must be shared so that we don’t repeat past mistakes. Growing up in suburban Philly, precious little history of our treatment toward indigenous peoples was shared in our American history curriculum. Moving to Florida when my kids were young, I learned from them the story of the forced march of native Americans from the Everglades-shared briefly in their classes but new info to me. Now watching Desantis further sanitize educational policies here (raising, according to experts, a next generation of ignorant racists who will be part of his base), I lament the outcome that will only ensure further division, racism, bias, and hatred toward people of color or anyone who isn’t white, wealthy, mostly male, hetero. He can NEVER attain national office.
Again, thank you-you help me continue to grow and inspire me to learn more. Good teachers invite a thirst for knowledge-and you are the BEST. Thanks.
Jen, I grew up in Minneapolis, about two hours away from the site where this execution took place. At that time, Minneapolis had the largest population of urban-dwelling Native people of any large city in the US. My grandparents attended a Catholic church in the city that had mostly Native parishioners and as a kid, I loved attending their church because of all the beadwork I saw (I’m now a beadweaver myself).
I learned this terrible history as a child. It still makes me weep and grieve for my Native friends and all that they have lost because of white racism and greed.
Sadly though, just last week at a holiday gathering at a neighbor’s house, one of them brought up the recent change of name for the middle school she attended in St.Paul. Formerly call Alexander Ramsey for the Governor who authorized the mass execution of the Santee, it is now called Hidden River. The new name is a nod to the Native residents’ original name for the area- which includes an underground creek that drains into the Mississippi. Her oldest daughter owns the house Ann grew up in and two of Ann’s grandkids attend Hidden River.
Ann’s objection to the name change? What was the problem? It was named for a former governor. Why wasn’t that prestige upheld? Why change it?
When I noted that Ramsey had owned slaves and authorized the largest mass execution in US history knowing those to be hanged had not had a proper trial, she got that “deer in the headlights” look. She literally had no clue. She did not know Ramsey’s history at all. To her credit and the credit of all in that room, we talked about the execution for a few minutes and our Native neighbor chimed in with all manner of details that helped shine a light.
As you say, the truth of our history must be shared.
Even at a holiday party.
Wow, Sheila, I'm impressed that your guests were gracious and intelligent enough to have that conversation. I really appreciate your sharing that story. It sparked a flame of hope in me🙏
Thank you, Sheila B. for doing your part in that conversation. Too many people are afraid to even gently shake things up. We all need to be better at standing up for what we believe -- to be “Up-standers” -- not Bystanders in these conversations. Thank you.
A couple of times I have heard racist comments including one against Native Americans in my husband's presence. None of us said anything, he and I because we were at the neighbors and these were their friends. We felt lousy the next day that we had remained silent. We would not allow such comments in our own home, however, but then, none of our friends would say anything like that.
We have been discussing my husband's Lakota ancestry a lot recently. His maternal grandmother knew all about this connection and visited her relatives. She did not tell her daughter, his mother, or anyone else. His paternal grandmother was one of those whose motto was, "the only good Indian is a........ " When I was small and we took a trip out west, I can remember my father saying about California which he hated, that we could "give it back to the Indians." Fortunately, I had a teacher and her husband who were good friends and who had taught among the Navaho and had great respect for them and their culture, so I had the opportunity to learn a different view from them.
I have just given my husband a book about indigenous America by the same author who wrote Lakota America as the first book in our Christmas book giving. The author is a Finn who is a don at Oxford. As an aside, my first book is about Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici.
We have a similar background in our family. Whether it was shame or early separation of the family, the history of our Native ancestor was not talked about until I was adult. Likewise, it took awhile to know the extend of the atrocity led by another ancestor, Col John Chivington, who led the Colorado Volunteers in the Sand Creek Massacre. Our family talks about both these facts of our past, and when I tell the stories, there is often shock. Likewise acknowledging that our ancestors were slave holders. In truth, it’s a sad and bitter past to hold on to and to own, but the history of the other side, who were the victims, is much sadder. We talk about reparations and formal apologies, but so far have not done anything. Where to start? Telling the shameful stories is a good place. And as I tell them, I know that others in the room have stories to own as well; their families just haven’t owned them yet and may never.
We think that one of the reasons that my husband's maternal grandmother said nothing is that her husband's family were part of the military, including a war against Native Americans in southern Oregon. We have orders written by the commander of this unit and among other things, he suggests eating Native Americans if necessary. And if the soldiers did not carry out his orders, they would be mentioned unfavorably in his report. My husband's great grandfather on that side was also a preacher who died in the pulpit of a local church.
My great grandmother had a slave until 1863 and I did not know this until I got into genealogy. I am certain that that other ancestors had slaves as well. All of my relatives that I grew up with were prejudiced against anyone who was not like them. In addition to Native Americans and POC that included Catholics and Jews as well.
What a horror story: "eat [them] if necessary"! I wonder if anyone other than you, who reads this site, ever dreamed that our military could give such an order! Hitler, or worse, here in the 1860's United States, and not a word about ANY of it to be allowed into the American History textbooks if deSantis & Co. have their way. Wouldn't want to make any white kids feel bad about anything that their ancestors may have done, after all, would we?
My great-great-great grandfather, Charlie Crane was Choctaw in MS. As the dilution goes, my grandmother and her siblings were 1/4 Choctaw, and in a family foto in the early 1940s you could see it in their facial features. (When I was stationed in Texas in the Air Force I noticed many Mexican ppl looked like my great aunts & uncles).
I wish I knew the circumstances of their marriage but almost all southerners can find Native American in their family backgrounds.
My nephew’s, by marriage, mother came from the Choctaw tribe. Unfortunately, his family life was riddled with abuse and alcoholism. I blame the government for their horrible treatment of Native Americans and black Americans. As we have observed over the past 6 years, especially, denialism by whites is the constant thread in their lives.
Sheila, thank you so much for sharing this bit of hope. I live in Florida now, to be a support for our divorced son and our Vietnamese-American grandson. My husband and son are both dt supporters, of the “but look at all the good he did for...” variety. They can’t see what may happen to my grandbaby by their support of the current GQP and DeSantis.
I’m so thankful to know there are good folks like you in Minnesota - I hope to find some down here.
I'm still awaiting details of just what "good he did for....".
Same…
Me too.
It's really hard not to have friends nearby who share your views and values, as it sounds like is your situation. The truth is, nowhere is completely Trumpian, even if some have to keep it a little on the quiet side. I hope you find a community of people who you can express yourself around.
Just here ❤️🩹
Suzanne, I live in Florida in a red county on the east coast. I have faith you will find “good folks” …
A party may be the best place for such conversations. Guests are equal at most parties, so there is no felt lecturing. Congratulations to all present and thank you for this account. It should go to the deaf ears (and perhaps blind eyes) of DeSantis and Floridians.
Kudos for helping your neighbor understand and having a discussion about the treatment of local Native Americans. Yes, to her credit and credit to all of you. This does not happen often enough.
Sheila, it sounds like you must have stated the facts in a way that your neighbor could hear you and learn something new. It's a real gift to both have the courage to speak up in a setting where it might be easier to let things slide, and to be able to do it in a way that opens up, rather than closes off, conversation.
In 1982 when my wife & I first came to Miami, our daughter enrolled in Robert E. Lee Middle School. Even this far south, away from the obvious Dixie the confederacy still reigned. Of course it was segregated by race then because of state law and locally blacks & whites did not share the same beach to swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Ironically, it was mostly Black & Hispanic kids going to Robert E. Lee school. It has since been demolished and the new one has an Hispanic name.
I live in Hernando County. The county seat is Brooksville. There is a rebel statue on the courthouse lawn, on a rather short pedestal, with an iron fence protecting it, dedicated on June 3, 1916 by the UDC. It belongs to them and they are active caretakers - they added the fence in 2017.
There is also a mural, painted in 2004, of the “Brooksville Raid,” which occurred on June 3, 1864. There was an annual reenactment for forty years, but in 2020 the Tampa Bay Boy Scouts of America declined to renew their agreement allowing the reenactors to use their 1,300-acre Sand Hill Scout Reservation. I have no doubt they are looking for some other venue for the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida.
I grew up in Virginia, halfway between Washington, DC and Richmond. I’ve studied and taught the War of Southern Rebellion. And I would never have thought anything happened in Florida during that era. And yet…
I lived in Gainesville in the 1990s. There was a very active KKK group there, usually protesting the Gay Rights events. I got fotos of them at one of our picnics - Praying before robing up. What would Jesus say?
Indeed.
Bravo Sheila! Kindly explaining the reason for the school’s name change to your friend was a brave thing to do in the midst of a party. And Bravo to your friend who listened to understand, along with the further discussion with all at the party.
Having respectful conversations like that is the best thing we can do to shine a light on the truth.
I share your appreciation for Professor Richardson's letters - and this is one I am very thankful for. I knew none of this, though I have read a good deal about what was done to the indigenous peoples of the USA as the nation was evolving. It's interesting to me that your children were able to learn about the plight of the native Americans who lived in the Everglades ... I grew up in Tampa and there was hardly ever any mention of native Americans of any kind in our schooling (which took place back in the 60's, admittedly.) I've lived most of my adult life in Europe (work and marriage took me there) - and it wasn't until I was in Europe that I started learning more about how badly we as whites had treated non-white people. I agree with you about De Santis - I hate to think about what might happen if he gets even moer power than he has now.
He is the great white washer, without chump’s baggage. I hope his smarmy evil doesn’t appeal to the MAGAts
Sadly, it WILL appeal to those individuals and may well lead to more atrocities and injustices if he were to win primaries and be elected. (Needless to say, his "DOJ" will NOT promote true justice for nonwhites.)
His DOJ will not have "Justice" as part of its remit. It will become the department of punishment of anyone who does not hold the "correct" views.
Sadly, many former trump supporters have swiftly swung their support over to disantis. And until someone with true leadership/unification skills and far more integrity can rise from the ranks of the "traditional" republican party - someone who will undeniably put country over party or self - disantis will probably be the gop frontrunner.
Florida is a state where slavery exists and DeSantis as its leader supports it in more ways than one. For one, it has legalized slavery through the 13th Amendment right to enslave people in prison. And, those who have been in prison in Florida lose their right to vote it appears. So, in essence, in Florida doing the time does not mean paying for your crimes. Secondly, there is slavery amongst the agricultural workers in Florida. Not only did I read about a slave camp of Haitian men in Florida many years ago, but I continue to read about immigrant workers not getting paid at all for their work and threatened with deportation while living in deplorable conditions.
https://www.sfltimes.com/opinion/florida-still-among-states-benefiting-handsomely-from-prison-slave-labor
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-farm-labor-contracting-company-pleads-guilty-racketeering-conspiracy-involving-forced
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/racethmulglocon.5.1.29
So, while DeSantis pretends that he does not need the immigrants coming to this country at all, his state's agricultural industry needs them, but he does not discuss that. DeSantis is a lowdown, slimy, weasel and there is no way I see him winning in Illinois.
I think you have hit on something that must be exposed on the national level, and beginning NOW. Far too many outside FL (but probably even many Floridians) have no clue how deplorable on every level the present governor there is.
I am hoping that after New York Let George Santos slide in without the rigorous checking that should have been done before the election, we will not have such sloppiness again. If not on the part of the press, then at least the Democratic party should investigate people and get it out there. This youtube video of DeSantis raising his children on the Teats of Trump might be a good one to drag out if he announces he is running, to tie him to his true beliefs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1YP_zZJFXs
I pray you are correct. I really do.
Here are the demographics.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/state/illinois/party-affiliation/
While the no leaning seems like if they all went Republican they could throw the vote, but that is not what happens. Either some vote either way, or they don't vote, or they vote for other candidates .
Since it is Christmas, and Jesus is just born, I have to say "Jesus!" as a swear word, that I think he would approve of if he were alive today.
Despite the controversial above sentence, I whole-heartedly agree on your statement that DeSantis cannot be allowed to obtain national office and attempt to frack up (the Battlestar Galactica swear word) the educational system in blue states. (Red is already likely fracked up.)
Amen.
More than one philosopher has pointed out that those who ignore history are eventually forced to relive it. And those who encourage such ignoring of history, like Floriduh's governor, are to blame. To use a stronger word but one with the same root, those who promote ignoring history are in the business of promoting ignorance. ... even extending beyond history.
"those who promote ignoring history are in the business of promoting ignorance. ... even extending beyond history." True words Jack.
And yet, the Governor of Floriduh who ignores history was recently re-elected by a landsclide. There is a remedy for that and it is the spreading of knowledge, such as that imparted daily by HCR. Introducing others to 'Letters from an American' is a good way to start.
And I never knew about the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII until I moved from MA to WA where it was taught to 4th graders learning state history. I was disgusted my country did such a thing. These people were given some reparations by President Clinton, and then the whole nation knew the story. What a world, where now this bit of US history totally relates to the war in Ukraine. We are all connected always. Good can happen too.
And still, still, still the descendants of slaves wait. No reparations for them. How incredibly unjust.
Philadelphia the site of the police bombing an enclave of people who were protesting injustices to their clan! Not 19th century history, happened late 20th century!
Now, suppression takes the form of illegal ‘voter rights’ laws, especially limiting voting opportunities on Native American lands!
That bombing happened in my neighborhood here in West Philly--it was PTSD-inducing! I will never forget the plumes of smoke...and the smell....
I wonder if the Whites that want to sanitize history so that their kids won't feel uncomfortable learning about the mass murders their White ancestors committed would be OK with this bombing since a Black mayor ordered it on Black protesters....
Very powerful note that the mayor at the time was a black person. Brings to mind Clarence Thomas who has turned his back on the very people who fought for the benefits he reaped!
He's without compunction and any ethical fiber. After overturning Roe vs Wade, it's like let's consider looking to do the same with same-sex marriage, if not with same-sex sex, and of course, contraception. There was even talk about reconsidering interracial marriage. With two interracial marriages involving two of the justices and another involving the VP of the US, I was giddily waiting for that opinion...Thomas and a slew of others need to butt out of other people's bodies and their bedrooms....
"...the forced march of native Americans from the Everglades...."
I hadn't heard of the Seminoles on a forced march. Spending my adolescence (the 1960s) in Lakeland, I was taught in school that the Seminoles never signed a treaty with the U.S. government. Further, that they were the only tribe in the U.S. who had not signed such a treaty; the reason being that the hostile environment in the Everglades overwhelmed the U.S. Army troops as so many soldiers died of disease alone. My handful of friends and I (all whites) took a certain pride in the Seminoles' independent stand. Personally, I never heard a bad word about the Seminoles during my life in Florida. After all, some of us just realized that it was their land to start with.
The pride that you mention is reflected in Florida State's teams being called the 'Seminoles,' but that doesn't really make up for the sorry treatment of Native Americans that the growing nation, as it expanded, carried out. The NFL team in Washington, the MLB team in Cleveland, and many others have gotten rid of such team names. FSU would be wise to do the same, along with other schools (including my old high school back in Newark) still using what amount to ethnic or racial team nicknames.
Absolutely. Nothing can make up for the sorry treatment of Native Americans. I believe the greedy land barons who benefitted immensely from taking the Natives land should be the first to pay back for what was taken. For example, the King Ranch in Texas has 825,000 acres of Native American land. And the King Farm in Florida currently farms about 20,000 acres of very productive, organic land in Florida in thee Everglades region (Seminole territory). And the railroad tycoons who benefitted so much from Native lands. Now, Bill Gates has about 270,000 acres of fertile farmland in multiple states. He's not likely to compensate the Native Americans in any way for it.
Ref. the sports teams' names with American Indian references, I have mixed thoughts about that past. I can understand most of all why the "Redskins" should be changed. It's derogatory. I can understand changing the teams named "The Indians" also. In terms of "The Braves" and "The Seminoles," I don't see the names as derogatory. I seem them as references to the Native bravery, prowess, and stealth. Still, I imagine all the names will change. So be it.
I just love Abe Lincoln....
Abe Lincoln was truly in a class/league of his own. I don't believe anyone represented the purpose and potential of the U.S. better than Abe Lincoln.