A while ago, I read an excellent book, The Island at the Center of the World::The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America by Russell Shorto. In today’s New York Times, the author penned an article about the same subject (link), this time focusing on its negative effects on the Leni Lenape Native Americans and African-American slaves. The occasion for the article is the 400th anniversary of the purchase of Manhattan from Native Americans.
My reaction to the article is mixed; are we supposed to be forever in mourning about what our ancestors may or may not have done? Yes, Manhattan was bought on bargain terms from Native Americans. Yet history has always been characterized by the primitive people being shoved aside or worse by more advanced societies. In addition, non-native diseases played a disproportionate role in marginalizing Native Americans, see 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. At the beginning of every Broadway show nowadays, we are told that we are on the homeland of the Leni Lenape Native Americans.
Similarly, in the Shorto article and elsewhere, we are constantly reminded that there was slavery in New York as well as other northeastern states. The civil fact is that slavery was abolished in New York in 1831. It was abolished in the southern states at a considerable loss of life of northerners. Yet, we are still expected to be in mourning.
Yes, slavery has its legacy. As does removal from the land under a one-sided agreement. However, other groups have managed to recover from degradation, exploitation and discrimination. Why can we not enjoy our success without being made to feel guilty?
My reaction to the article is mixed; are we supposed to be forever in mourning about what our ancestors may or may not have done? Yes, Manhattan was bought on bargain terms from Native Americans. Yet history has always been characterized by the primitive people being shoved aside or worse by more advanced societies. In addition, non-native diseases played a disproportionate role in marginalizing Native Americans, see 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. At the beginning of every Broadway show nowadays, we are told that we are on the homeland of the Leni Lenape Native Americans.
Similarly, in the Shorto article and elsewhere, we are constantly reminded that there was slavery in New York as well as other northeastern states. The civil fact is that slavery was abolished in New York in 1831. It was abolished in the southern states at a considerable loss of life of northerners. Yet, we are still expected to be in mourning.
Yes, slavery has its legacy. As does removal from the land under a one-sided agreement. However, other groups have managed to recover from degradation, exploitation and discrimination. Why can we not enjoy our success without being made to feel guilty?
