Bruce's History: The Removal Acts of 1830

[txoctodem]

3. Removal Acts

I read this post with mixed emotions: Pride in our ancestors who overcame incredible hardship to found this country and shame in the decimation of native peoples -- both intentionally by taking their lands and unintentionally through exposure to diseases they had no immunity to withstand. Both civilizations were totally unprepared to come to peaceful resolution. Many of the new arrivals were fleeing persecution and a system stacked against them; The natives were equally unable to envision a life other than the one they knew--so they fought.

The problems in exclusion and assimilation are with us today (e.g., AZ law against illegal immigrants) -- how are we going to resolve them? Will our descendants be ashamed of our actions -- or can we break new ground and find new ways to live as brothers and sisters?