(no subject)
In looking through my history notes for this paper, I came across this delightful comment someone in my class had made, regarding her shock after reading a bit about Andrew Jackson: "He was a horrible, horrible person. It's amazing he became President of the United States!" It's true that he does bring the particularly crazy awful in, but really? As opposed to all the other beacons of shining humanity we've had elected? It's not like everyone at the time wasn't advocating for Removal as well. Now I feel like maybe it wasn't so ridiculous of my intro to US politics professor to think he was being ~shocking~ when he told us Congress was corrupt. Also I feel like a history snob, and sad that so many people don't learn the awful things about presidents (aka the fun bits). And even more sad at the lack of education regarding US-Indian policy. And there is still some residual anger about the Thanksgiving narrative from this past week. UGH Eurocentric education systems :(
Anyway, writing this has also meant that I finally had to read one of the books for the class that I hadn't got around to, Daniel Richter's Facing East from Indian Country. Having only skimmed it, it seems like a really good book! Everyone's favorite Amherst College mascot, Lord Jeffrey "Smallpox Blankets" Amherst gets a good mention. But seriously, it is really good history if you're interested in learning about American colonization from an Indian perspective. It's very accessible, covers from contact through the implementation of Removal, and I think it's only like $17. And I don't even like learning about that time period.
Oh my goodness how did it get so late DDDDDD: Alright, finishing this before the library closes.
Anyway, writing this has also meant that I finally had to read one of the books for the class that I hadn't got around to, Daniel Richter's Facing East from Indian Country. Having only skimmed it, it seems like a really good book! Everyone's favorite Amherst College mascot, Lord Jeffrey "Smallpox Blankets" Amherst gets a good mention. But seriously, it is really good history if you're interested in learning about American colonization from an Indian perspective. It's very accessible, covers from contact through the implementation of Removal, and I think it's only like $17. And I don't even like learning about that time period.
Oh my goodness how did it get so late DDDDDD: Alright, finishing this before the library closes.