answersLogoWhite

0

As British citizens my wife and I stayed with her newly-naturalised American aunt and her American husband in Ohio some years ago. We planned a trip to Niagara falls and also a visit to the Seneca reservation at Cattaraugus New York. I asked my wife's uncle (who had been born in West Virginia) if he wanted to meet the Senecas and he replied "I would not know what to say to those people".

I detected a degree of embarrassment, guilt, shame and discomfort in his words, but I did not push him any further and my wife and I visited the Senecas on our own. As English people we were welcomed and made to feel at home, shown around the reservation's facilities and introduced to a wide range of the friendly people there.

My wife's American uncle seems to me to be typical of most white Americans confronted with the fact of their own history. Even when they do not know the details (and very few do) they still seem to bear a guilt and discomfort about the entire relationship with native American peoples over many hundreds of years. I guess this is reflected in school lessons and text books.

Fortunately, for anyone who wants to find out the facts for themselves, there are plenty of opportunities away from school.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Who wrote the series of textbooks between 1836 and 1857?

The series of textbooks written between 1836 and 1857 is known as "McGuffey Readers," which were compiled and edited by William Holmes McGuffey. These textbooks were widely used in American schools and are credited with shaping education and literacy in the 19th century.


What was war fought between the Americans and English for American independence?

It was called The American Revolution.


What is the difference between international textbooks and local textbooks?

The main difference between international textbooks and local textbooks is that international textbooks are designed for a global audience and often cover topics from a broader perspective, while local textbooks are tailored to the specific curriculum and educational standards of a particular region or country.


What was the conflict between the African American and White Americans?

they were racesit


How does the net worth of white americans compare to that asian americans hispanic and black americans?

The net worth of White Americans are much higher compared to that of the Asian American, Hispanic and Black Americans. The wealth gap had tripled between the White Americans and Black Americans between the years of 1984 and 2009.


What was the purpose of the Pan American union?

To improve relations between all Americans nations.


What is the difference between native Americans and Australian aboriginals?

ones American ones Australian


What is the name of the war that is involved between the Americans and the British after the American Revolution?

The War of 1812.


What did 'the west' mean to Americans in the 1800s?

Early Americans thought of the Area between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River as the western frontier.


What is the difference between Americans and English?

english and american currency are both different english money is the pound (£) and american money is dollars ($)


What was the relationship between the American revolution and black American?

The American Revolution was not only the colonies fight to gain independence but the African-Americans largest slave revolt.


What was the last major battle between white American and Native Americans?

battle at wounded knee