The heated conflict between Native Americans and the Dakota Access Pipeline Company evokes a nightmarish deja vu from colonial times: white settlers encroaching upon Native American territory. In colonial times, white settlers engaged in destruction and massacring of Native American populations during Bacon’s Rebellion. This month, live footage of the protest shows white men pepper-spraying Native Americans and attacking them with dogs. This modern-day brutality echoes the past. Often described as a cultural melting pot, America may have formed its identity through its diverse people, but there is still little room for the expression of Native American ideas. In the video, a Native American protester asserts, “We [the Native Americans] are the caretakers of the earth.” Meanwhile, the Dakota Access Pipeline views the land as a commodity. With respect to ancestral culture, both parties have retained their perspectives on how land should be used. Many people believe history repeats itself, and this predicament only confirms their suspicions.
Very interesting take on the situation in North Dakota. I liked how you were able to connect the past with the present, and I thought using the quote, "Many people believe history repeats itself" really adds to my understanding of what's happening because I'm more able to sympathize with Native Americans today since I could sympathize with those in the past. I also liked how clear and concise you were, as this read was quick but also very informative and the use of a hyperlink added to my knowledge.
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