death of apess

i know that gina only mentioned it briefly, but when i heard about the death of apess it struck me as strange. how could such an influential man die in obscurity? actually, i'm not sure if he was so famous. which brings me to another important point, what if apess was alive and defending indians today? would he change social reform for native americans? i feel like he was definitely ahead of his time and with today's technology and education, apess would at least be an influential social worker or something. but also, after reading apess' "eulogy on king philip" i thought it was one of the better classic texts that i've gotten to read. which made me also think why i had never heard of him before? is it because he was a native american? even his DEATH isn't known for sure. maybe i'm going too far, but i think that if apess was a white man, all of these things surrounding his life would be clear and his texts would be held in a higher regard. what do you guys think? was he just another guy who felt strongly about something, or was he something more, but because of his genetics he was held back from achieving his full potential?

Boudinot

The discussion that we had in class made me rethink Boudinot's address.

It is apparent in Boudinot's writings that he is writing for his people, but the way in which he writes and asks the audience for support is unlike the ideals and values of his people. By saying that the Cherokee nation is becoming stronger, and then coming to the whites as an inferior or on all fours begging for support does not show that strength. If Boudinot is saying that the Cherokee nation is ready to contribute and maybe compete with its bigger neighbor, then it would only make sense not to grovel, but to come with charisma and confidence.

There is no reason to act inferior when the stereotype is already in place, instead of being the dog with its tail between its legs, Boudinot should have been the pitbull with his teeth showing. I'm not suggesting that Boudinot's address to threaten the whites, but instead of listing off numbers of wagons or cows, or telling people how much he loves God, he could tell them how proud his people are, just like them. Boudinot cannot change the minds of whites by staying in his place, instead, Boudinot should have came to them as equals, as a proud people with ideals. In the end, I'm sure it would not have changed a thing, but it bothers me when an oppressed people remain oppressed and take on the mentality of the oppressed.

They just needed a John Sully.

why i chose the title i chose

well, i chose the title "ideas on indians" for my blog because the class, and our blogs especially, deal with responses to readings on native americans. i thought the title should be straight to the point, and i was also trying to be funny but i couldn't think of a funny name. "ideas on indians" also uses alliteration, which i thought was also interesting since it rolls off the tongue. but most of all, i think the title fits the purpose for which this blog was made to do. which is a place to collect my thoughts on the readings for the class.

-ricky li