Wounded Knee 2009

When the British and other colonial empires began to stake their claims to the New World (and for that matter, the Old World), they dealt with the problem of indigenous populations by simply assuming a sense of entitlement. Their staunch belief was that their God had given them the right to exercise dominion over all lands.

In the 1800's, the newly formed United States, found itself in a similar position. The new nation, sat squarely on top of several other nations. Native Americans, from whom the system of government for the U.S. was adapted (see note below), comprised many different and competing political groups, or nations. However, the new nation, America, held the self same entitlement towards the land as the colonialists they had defeated. In spite of the fact that many of them had come here fleeing oppression and seeking a better life, the claims of the indigenous population was viewed as illegitimate.

An effort was made to drive those who were already here out of the country. The forced removal of the Cherokee and other tribes was seen as the solution until settlers suddenly "needed" the land to which they were already driven. The "right" to this and all other lands on the continent became enshrined in the legalization of theft known as Manifest Destiny.

Accepting that their destiny was to control everything, the U.S. government established a system of reservations for Native Americans. Those who refused to enter the reservations were called renegades and hunted down. The indigenous population of North America was essentially imprisoned in communal prisons in which their culture was obliterated and their religion was denigrated and prohibited. All the necessary elements of their lives were controlled by the government that took their land.

Surprise of all surprises, those rounded up and forced onto reservations were unhappy about it. Religious fanaticism grew leading to the development of the Ghost Dance religion. Ruthlessly suppressing the religion and the uprisings that followed, the United States proceeded to slaughter thousands and thousands of Native Americans. Massacres at Sand Creek and Wounded Knee, to name just two, saw the murder of countless women and children who had no place left to hide. Disproportional response was seen as appropriate. Those being slaughtered were called savages as slow genocide was committed against them.

Wounded Knee - Gaza Strip. Different year, different weapons. Same story.