In the year 1607, a group of Englishmen and women pulled their ship up to a strange new land. It was called "Jamestown." Before the new settlers even left for Jamestown, Virginia, seven council members were decided upon to govern the new colony. They began to settle into this town, however, the native Algonquian Indians made this a bit hard to do. The colonist's camps were raided, their pistols and supplies were stolen, some of their men were killed, and their leader, Captain John Smith, was captured (and was only released later because of Pocahontas pleading for his and his men's lives). They were most certainly not wanted there. Okay, so you know the story. I do have a point, I promise.
By the end of the 15th century, there were thriving colonies in Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Georgia soon came into the picture in 1732. Trade between the Native Americans and the new settlers was common, but it most certainly would not be safe to say that peace filled the land. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written for these thirteen colonies. In 1789 our Democracy officially began and George Washington became the first President of the United States. Now, here's the fun part... let's watch America being born!
All land within American borders was American land that could be bought or sold. So here's the question no one seemed to be asking -- what about the Native Americans? What gave colonists the right to take this land and to make a new governmental structure? Why didn't they stop and get permission by the Natives before settling in their land?
America was founded by what could be called "illegal" immigration (at least to the Natives). And for what -- to find freedom. How can we put a wall up around a country for the reasons in which it was founded? Still, it became a glorious place where people came to escape the terrors of their own governments and economies. And, eventually the Natives were given reparation for our naughty deed. The federal government now has an obligation to allow and protect tribal reservations and the right for tribes to govern themselves. To say that this reparation makes up for all of the land we took from the Native Americans and all the discrimination they endured is absurd, but I suppose it's a little too late to turn things around now.
I am in no means saying that it's "right" for a Mexican to come into America, let their children use our public school systems, not pay taxes... of course that isn't right. But do we really need to go to the extremes of building a wall around the Land of the Free? Does that actually make sense -- our freedom being protected by a big thick wall? Us treating people who just wanted to escape oppression and poverty as criminals?
Michelle Moses is a Christian, a Libertarian, and an incoming sophmore at her local community college. She can be reached at michellepm@comcast.net
By the end of the 15th century, there were thriving colonies in Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Georgia soon came into the picture in 1732. Trade between the Native Americans and the new settlers was common, but it most certainly would not be safe to say that peace filled the land. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written for these thirteen colonies. In 1789 our Democracy officially began and George Washington became the first President of the United States. Now, here's the fun part... let's watch America being born!
All land within American borders was American land that could be bought or sold. So here's the question no one seemed to be asking -- what about the Native Americans? What gave colonists the right to take this land and to make a new governmental structure? Why didn't they stop and get permission by the Natives before settling in their land?
America was founded by what could be called "illegal" immigration (at least to the Natives). And for what -- to find freedom. How can we put a wall up around a country for the reasons in which it was founded? Still, it became a glorious place where people came to escape the terrors of their own governments and economies. And, eventually the Natives were given reparation for our naughty deed. The federal government now has an obligation to allow and protect tribal reservations and the right for tribes to govern themselves. To say that this reparation makes up for all of the land we took from the Native Americans and all the discrimination they endured is absurd, but I suppose it's a little too late to turn things around now.
I am in no means saying that it's "right" for a Mexican to come into America, let their children use our public school systems, not pay taxes... of course that isn't right. But do we really need to go to the extremes of building a wall around the Land of the Free? Does that actually make sense -- our freedom being protected by a big thick wall? Us treating people who just wanted to escape oppression and poverty as criminals?
Michelle Moses is a Christian, a Libertarian, and an incoming sophmore at her local community college. She can be reached at michellepm@comcast.net
