Native Americans in Modern Day America.

As part of our introduction module, we grasped a basic understanding surrounding the colonial settlement and how this impacted the Native Americans as a whole. Diseases, the common cold, enslavement and disputes among the Natives and the British led to the approximation of an 80% decrease in the Native American population. Although it remains unclear as to how many Native Americans there were originally, how did this first wave of immigration impact them within today’s society?  

In modern day America, the United States Federal government officially recognises approximately 565 Native American* tribes within their borders and within each tribes they have their own distinct language, history and culture and law regulation system. In 2007, Native rights were affirmed within the United Nations declaration. Due to each tribe being recognised by the U.S. Federal government, they are seen as a self-governing and self-determining state within America. A short visual representation of changes that occurred over landscape for Native Americans to the present day can be located here (excludes Alaska.) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZCvUroBpaE
(*Native Americans includes the following: Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan and American Natives).

Standard of Living

The standard of living for Native Americans is significantly sub-standard compared to Americans in other areas. Native Americans alone accumulate to just 0.9% of the population according to the 2010 Census. The high rates of poverty and unemployment have had a substantial impact on Native Americans as a whole. 17% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and 27% of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives live in poverty and overall only 16% have access to indoor plumbing.

Due to the poor standard in living, the deprivation of satisfactory standards contributes to the higher rates of crime, suicide, alcoholism, gang membership and drug abuse. Although standards of living potentially contributes to the other factors it does not necessarily mean that it is the causation of such high rates. 

22% of Native children suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – a rate that is deemed equal to those who have been deployed from Iran and Afghanistan. Alongside this, a Native women is 3.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than any other nationality within America.

But the statistical reports on Native Americans also shows a significance within other areas of society as they are affected by mass incarceration. Native Americans contribute to South Dakota’s population by 9% but are also 29% of the prison population. In Alaska, the outcome is higher, with 15% contributing to the total population but 38% of prison population. Why is this? What is the causation of this correlation?

It can be argued that it is potentially due to the following complications below:

The judicial system is overlapped yet restricted to Native Americans.
-       Due to unresolved conflicts, the tribes of America have difficulty in outlining their tribal courts alongside the federal and state jurisdictions.
-       Cases of domestic violence within tribal courts is unlawful due to the Major Crimes Act.

-       Although cases of domestic violence is unlawful within tribal courts, any criminal who has committed a different offence can be prosecuted twice for the same offence; once under federal jurisdiction and again in tribal court. 
 
-       However, earlier this year, tribes had won the right to prosecute non-Native men who committed crimes that violated the orders of protection against Native women on Indian reservations.

Reservations are held in trust by the government not the tribes themselves.
-       Due to the government withholding the power of reservations, Native Americans cannot afford to build a home and are unable to get a mortgage from the government. This is due to the banks being unable to foreclose on a property accommodated by Native Americans on reservation land as a bank cannot repossess reservation land.
-       Therefore, without a sufficient lifestyle Native Americans can potentially be subjected to harsh conditions and resort to other means.

The government are continuously stripping land away from the Native Americans
-       Native Hawaiians, specifically the Kanaka Maoli’s are fighting to protect their sacred mountain Mauna Kea. The U.S. Government wish to construct a $1.4 billion telescope upon the mountain which has led to protests on the islands.

-       On the mainland, members of San Carlos Apache Nation are fighting the sale of their Oak Flat site to foreign business owners who wish to use it for mining.

-       One of the most famous monuments known throughout America is Mount Rushmore. The government’s illegal seizure of the Great Sioux Nation’s sacred Black Hill in South Dakota in 1877 has led to anger and discontent among the tribe as the faces of the ‘Founding Fathers’; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are etched into the side of the Black Hill mountain.

So this leads to a complicated cycle of Native Americans being withheld in the poor standard of living conditions, unable to increase their wealth and lifestyle which ultimately has an impact on physical and mental health and the growing discontent between tribes and the government.

Education

Another factor that impacts the Native Americans in today’s society is their education.
The majority of Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Alaskan Natives and Native Americans are unable to cast their vote due to no polling places instituted near to their residence. Such problems are highlighted in communities such as Duck Valley Reservation in Nevada and the Goshute Reservation in Utah where the nearest polling station is located more than 100 miles from their reservation.

Not only has distance impacted the Native’s American right to vote but also the high rates of “illiteracy” in some rural communities. Tribes such as Yup’ik in Alaska primarily speak and read in their native language due to the unavailability of public education until the 1980s.

Following this, not only were the tribes viewed as ‘illiterate’ due to not speaking, reading and writing primarily in English, the Native languages within America are dying. According to UNESCO, 130 native languages are ‘at risk’ with another 74 ‘critically endangered’. 

Those who do have the access to such education still perform less than the national average as only 51% of Native American graduated in the class of 2010. Although they do not currently achieve the same outcome as other Americans, they are still subjected to the crimes committed within their society. The school shooting of Red Lake High School, Minnesota in 2005 did not impact the communication held between tribe and state successfully. The aftermath of the school shooting left 9 victims dead and 7 injured. Due to the procedures that federal police took upon after the event, it increased tensions between the right of tribe to sovereignty and desire of reporters from around the world to gain access of information.  

So why has America’s government consistently and continuously failed the Native Americans through education, standard of living and ignoring their plea for improvements within their communities? Potentially the only significant support that the Native Americans have had recently is due to Bernie Sanders and the protests at the Dakota Access Pipeline.

A Voice for the Native Americans

Bernie Sanders presidential campaign for 2016 contained diverse and potentially unpopular views held within America. Bernie voiced his opinion on such views that the Native Americans had not been protected by the government due to broken promises, treaties and sovereign rights by the government and promised that if elected president, he would promote restoring sacred lands, building homes, voting rights and improve healthcare and education.

During his time not only as a presidential candidate but also a senator within the government, Bernie has backed multiple protests against fracking, introduced the Save Oak Flat Act and voted in 2008 to formally apologise to Native Americans for the “many instances of violences, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by citizens of the U.S.” 

Although Bernie Sanders did not successfully become the 45th president, he still continues to protest against fracking and the use of non-renewable resources in the hopes of converting to renewable sources such as solar and wind power.

A prime example of this would be the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) which has been a key role in conflict between government forces and the Native Americans within modern society.

Dakota Access Pipeline and it’s significance.

The Dakota Access Pipeline – a 1,172 mile long pipe which would carry 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day through four states from North Dakota to Iowa will cost the United States $3.8 billion. The proposal for this Pipeline originally began in 2014 and is nearing completion (set date January 1st, 2017). 

However, the outline of the pipeline extends through the reservations sacred land of Standing Rock Sioux whose reservation extends between North and South Dakota. As early as April this year, the Native Americans have been consistently protesting at the site of construction expressing their views that this violates their treaties, damages the landscape and also the environment as a whole. The protests outlined by the people of America (the construction of the pipeline does not solely impact the Native Americans) led to Brian Cladoosby – President of the National Congress of American Indians asking President Obama’s advisors to support the Standing Rock Sioux in September 2016.

Protests continued and in some cases effectively led to approximately 140 protestors being arrested after lighting hay bails and construction equipment on fire in October. These events led to the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delaying construction until they had consulted with the tribes (by doing so they are respecting the treaty between tribes and state) in November. Protests were still ongoing and Bernie Sanders continued to protest outside the White House on November 15th. 

The uncertainty of the outcome of protesting decreased as the Army ordered the protesters to vacate the camp they had made throughout protesting, however the protestors continued to stay throughout December with relief aid from approximately 2,000 US Veterans who participate in ‘Veterans Stand for Standing Rock’. 

At this moment in time however, work on the pipeline has effectively been halted as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied an easement which allowed the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe. Although this effectively results to a halt in construction, it does not outline a successful conclusion of the Dakota Access Pipeline being removed, only a temporary win. The construction has almost been completed, however it is not only the sacred land that is potentially threatened, environmentalists are concerned that not only will it impact climate change but also the water supply that many Americans depend on. 

In review, it is undetermined how current day affairs will impact Native Americans in the future. By reviewing not only the impact of immigration during the first wave of immigration (the colonial settlements) but also how Americans impact them today explores the continuous conflict, restrictions and unfairness placed upon Native Americans. With the government inadequately supporting the Native Americans, how can they outline foundations to prosper and thrive within modern day society? The continuous unfulfilled promises through treaties and rights to land and sacred grounds leaves the Native American people in a fragile situation. 

And so how can a nation founded on the beliefs of every man is equal with inalienable rights continue to restrict the movement and freedom of the Native Americans, the very first immigrants of America within today’s society? The right to freedom of religion and yet their own myths, legends and beliefs were stripped of them, reducing their dynamic culture and individuality among other tribes. The right to have their own communal powers and yet be restricted as to who they can and cannot prosecute due to the crime that has been committed within their own reservations? 

While struggling due to lack of knowledge, understanding, value and support from the media, local communities and the government, the Native Americans are a minor but also a diverse culture within society who strive forward to enforce their laws, their rights through treaties and are continuously empowered by their individual tribalisms. Therefore, the exploration of Native Americans and their impact on today’s society and culture would be extremely valuable to this module’s examination of the United States.

#NativeLivesMatter


Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/13-native-american-issues_us_55b7d801e4b0074ba5a6869c 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZCvUroBpaE
http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-10.pdf
https://www.rcfp.org/reporters-guide-american-indian-law/timeline-american-indian-history-affecting-reporters-access-land
http://abcnews.go.com/Archives/video/march-22-2005-red-lake-hs-massacre-9727188
https://berniesanders.com/issues/empower-tribal-nations/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OT8F3oD2KLQ
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X_mAcm92vuQ
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/12/02/timeline-dakota-access-pipeline-and-protests/94800796/

Final Blog Post - Week 12, Alek

I think that a great asset that would add to this assignment would be on the 50th state, Hawaii. This is due to the fact that a lot of trade happens from Hawaii. This would include pineapples, sugar canes, flowers which much of them are exported out to the rest of the world and others such as coffee, macadamia nuts, avocados, bananas, guavas, papayas, and tomatoes.

Another reason for this would be due to the culture that Hawaiian's bring to the world. Hula dancing and surfing is all part of the culture which makes up Hawaii. Bringing Hawaii into assignments would allow others to be able to understand the culture better with an open mind about what Hawaii is actually about. 
Carrying on with the topic of culture, it's not just the Hawaiian culture which should be respected. Each state has their own way of looking at things. For example, someone from California is very different from someone from New York. Allowing more research into this would allow others to be able to identify what associated with each state and the individuals that come from this.

Culture has a huge part to play in the way we see Americans and the way they see everyone else. Understanding that they have a very different outlook on life will allow an individual to be able to see the traits which make up a group of people or someone in society.

Alek

Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives, Knee-Pants at Forty-Five Cents a Dozen—A Ludlow Street Sweater’s Shop

The image above reveals the life style migrants had when coming to New York. The notion of coming to this land and 'make something of yourself' is not living up to its full potential as seen. This is not the case for the majority of migrants who have travelled to New York seeking freedom or coming to make something better for themselves. As we can see, they are all doing hard labour in making clothing garments, this is taking the idea of having a better life and throwing it away. We can also see form the title that they're making very little money for what they are making and what they're doing. 

Many of the immigrants would also use these facilities in order to sleep and reside in at certain points. Due to not being able to make enough or even a better income to which they previously had, there was no way for them to be able to afford their own accommodation. In a way, this is an element of cheap labour. The owners of these factories and Warehouses know that these people are looking for a better lifestyle but knowing that they're not from America essentially gave them the idea to exploit them.

Jordan Webb - the italian tag-picker

IN THE HOME OF AN ITALIAN RAG-PICKER, JERSEY STREET.

This picture shows an Italian mother and her child living in a slum on Jersey Street in New York. A rag-picker was a person who made money by rummaging through litter on the streets, often finding bits of cloth or cardboard or anything else they could use to sell and make money, This image shows just how hard it can be for a lot of the poorer immigrants to make money and get a living for themselves in America when first coming over. You can also see how bad the living conditions of many were, as in those bags are the materials she has collected to sell, as well as the barrels which could be where she stored food. You can assume for the drawing that this place is a very unsafe place to raise a child. The wooden ladder could lead to a bedroom of sorts as in the picture there is no where for them to sleep. There is no man with them which could lead to questions as whether they came here alone or if the man is out picking rags whilst she looked after the child.

Aleasha - 'An All-Night Two-Cents Restaurant, in "The Bend"'.

‘An All-Night Two-Cent Restaurant, in “The Bend.”’ From Jacob Riis’ ‘How The Other Half Lives’ reveals the realities of the lifestyle that welcomes immigrants to New York, America. The ideals of the revolutionary aspects of being successful financially and having freedom of speech and views is shattered with the reality shown within the image above. It is clear from the title of the image, immigrants pay two cents for a seat or section of the restaurant which is overcrowded with other people who have emigrated from places across the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of immigrants used these restaurants for primarily sleeping and social interaction with other immigrants within New York rather than the stereotypical purpose of solely eating in the restaurant due to the generosity of other immigrants who have held residency in America for a longer period. The image suggests that not only is the restaurant overcrowded but it is also very dark within the restaurant room and light is only provided by candlelight due to electricity not being available. In addition to this, there was  very little room to place personal belongings or luggage from the people due to the layout of the restaurant, therefore, it is possible that due to the lack of comfort and space within the restaurant for the tenants it was difficult to maintain a lifestyle within the environment given but also favourable to both parties as the increase in the amount of space for extra immigrants increased income of the property owner.

Sources: Riis, J.A., 'An All-Night Two-Cents Restaurant, in "The Bend"', How The Other Half Lives. 

presentation alek

Dehumanisation’s of Slaves

1)    Subjected as property:

First time seeing them as slaves, reference as property

Constant referral as property – at the end when the slave became free, we see the ‘owner’ referring to the slave as his ‘property’

We see this at the beginning when they’re being sold.

2)    Stripped of basic rights:

Speaking and writing – We hear a conversation where another slave says that if you can read and write not to say anything.

Constant beatings – referral to the torture of the body and soul that was to come from being a ‘slave’ being somebody’s ‘property’.

Hygiene – We see one of the slaves going to another plantation to get soap. She states that she works very hard and she smells so bad that it makes her gag – being tortured through health.

Family – Once was a free man, then betrayed and stolen from them.
We see this again when they’re being sold and someone buys a mother without her kids –she is being taken from them.

Food – offered very and little forced to eat the very basics.

Sleeping – when observing, you can see that they have very poor sleeping facilities. Looks like they’re sleeping on hay, or even the ground.

Confided Environment – When being transported, they are very tightly packed together, this leads onto the fact that they need to urinate and release their bowls within the same area. – no treatment is offered for those who obtain any infections.

3)    Subjected against their will

Rape – Most female slaves are rapped. They have no choice which we can see in the film. The ‘owner’ literally owns them allowing him to do whatever.

Gender differences in the experience of slavery

In the portrayal of Solomon Northup’s life in 12 Years A Slave, there are many instances of differences of the treatment of the slaves due to their gender. These experiences range differently, from the relationship with their owners, how they resist punishments and how they are able to express how they are feeling. However, regardless of some of these differences there are some similarities to be seen in their treatment.

The first instance of gender difference in the movie 12 Years a Slave is when the newly captured slaves are being held in a cell in Washington. When being woken, the white capturers woke Solomen with a kick, unlike how they woke Eliza, which was by removing her from the cell. This shows that there is a clear difference in the way of physical treatment. The capturer appeals to her maternal instincts by saying that she “don’t want to frighten the children over a little boat ride, do you?”, showing that they rely on her emotions and rely on her to comply through this whilst with the men they just use brute force.

The roles of the slaves in the plantation are different depending on the gender. The men are forced to work on the fields, this way they are like a team, which is evident from the singing that goes on when working on the fields. This differs to the life of the female slaves, whose jobs are usually in the house (such as the serving girl on the front porch), and are very independent, meaning that they are more isolated than the male slaves. However, later in the film we see both genders do the field work, with Patsey being the most successful at this job, showing that gender roles are both used and ignored, depending on the plantation the slaves ended up at.

There is an exceptional difference in the way Solomon and Eliza deal with the loss of their children. Eliza is more vocal about it, being resistant to the condition she is in whilst Solomon gets through it by being friendly with their master, saying that he only does it in order to survive and that he has not forgotten his children. However, this can just show how different both these characters resist towards their condition, Solomon deciding to focus on survival to resist to be sad about his situation, as he realises he can’t do much about it. This can show that both genders are similar in the fact that they both are resisting their situations and are upset about being forced into slavery, but both have different approaches to show this, and Eliza being more emotional over it can show the typical sensitivity that is usually portrayed around women.

Mistress Shaw, a black woman who is deemed to be the ‘lady’ of the house shows how many women slaves used the power of the white masters, likely through sex, to attain positions like this. It is evident that Shaw is acting similar to that of a white lady of the house, which is shown through the language that is used towards Solomon and her fashion, and shows her power in the house and that this position is unattainable for the male slaves. The idea of black females being used this was shows a huge difference between the genders, as many of the young black women, such as Patsey, are used by the white male owners and are often raped, and cannot do anything about it as they are slaves and have no position to argue, which shows a key difference in how females are treated.

In this film, the portrayal of the white female owners shows that they were jealous of most of the black female slaves, due to the white male’s attention on them. This lead to the white women in this film to be physically abusive to those she felt jealous of, even though women at this time were oppressed due to their gender, it seemed to manifest into violence towards the black females over the sexual attention of the white male owners. This is shown vividly in the movie where the Mistress Epps throws a glass at Patsey for dancing, as her dance was more expressive and showed her solitude as a female slave, and is punished for this as it could be what made her husband attracted to Patsey.

In conclusion, gender did have an impact on what the person did as a slave in many plantations, but there are also similarities, for example how both genders are dehumanised as soon as they are enslaved and are used until they can no longer do any more. Overall it seems that women slaves are more emotionally expressive about their situation than many of the men, they are also able to elevate their positions and become a ‘lady’ of the house, although they would still technically be a slave.