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| Blogs > wickedeasy > wicked and that ain't so easy |
tear down that wall
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tear down that wall  Mr. Berman taught 10th grade American history. He was new to the high school, young, idealistic, scruffy. We were studying from a book that stood about two and a half inches thick and if I remember correctly had been written about 25-30 years before it landed on our desks in the mid 60’s. Now it could be said that history is history and cannot be rewritten. It is what it is, right? But perspective alters everything. Imagine a small about a year old and seeing everything from about two feet off the ground. How does that not change your view of the world? Is it any wonder that a just has to climb to try to make the world a more evenly seen place or that the sudden movement of a large thing would startle them into a squall. To teach history, well, perspective is crucial and I became a thinker that year in a way I had never been before when we happened upon the grand ideal called manifest destiny. We were tasked to debate manifest destiny. I was to support it. As I studied and researched, I found a million ways to slam this horror to the ground. The cheap tricks and “legal” legs it stood on were so flimsy that only the name gave it any credibility. It was the money that held it up….that and the religious bias. “Manifest Destiny” was a racial doctrine of white supremacy that granted no native American or nonwhite claims to any permanent possession of the lands on the North American continent and justified the taking of Indian lands, firmly anchored in a divine purpose to spread Christianity, a deeply providential purpose….one with mighty financial gain to white men. My opponent was not a worthy one. He was lazy and had not done his work. Had he, Manifest Destiny might have died that year in that room and maybe, just maybe, more than just me would have learned what Berman was hoping we would learn. That a few smart but not just men stole this land, making the people we stole it from prisoners on land they once cared for as a legacy. And those same wealthy men brought other people over on boats, prisoners stolen from their freedom and their homes and made them work this land as slaves. America………land of the free was not off to such a great start. So let’s not pretend we’re all that and a bag of chips, eh? It was the immigrants that came to our shores……….the great melting pot that made America America. And now, some would build a wall. I will tear it down with my own hands. You cannot conceive the many without the one. |
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this is not my symposium post - just came to mind You cannot conceive the many without the one.
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I'll help. Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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Hear hear! 
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Well done!
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BRAVA, W.E. BRAVISIMA!!
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I love it, thank you for writing this. I think it will help me move forward  Live life to it's fullest! If you're bored, Read Hugs Gypsy
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Your post totally resonated with me today. Thanks for making me think. Glad to see some bloggers are still introspective!
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I am confused, and usually your blogs are so easy for me to follow... Tear down that wall...Manifest Destiny... native Americans... slaves.. immigration and the melting pot... and then to the wall again? Perspective, is an interesting trick of the mind. Once while teaching a class at Fort Bragg, I staged a demonstration for a flight (platoon size) at combat city. There were numerous explosions, gunfire, brilliant flash-bangs, and several vehicles all moving at high speed. At the end of the demonstration the class had one task - diagram the events witnessed to provide firsthand intelligent to the command post for headquarters. Out of the 44 airmen present that day, only 8 had the events of the demonstration 100% accurate - the majority had less than 50% of the events reported in time/sequence/order. In discussions afterwards, - those 8, were all sitting on the top level of the bleachers, - one of those 8 had seen the original vehicle moving in and had pointed it out, - after that, their attention was on the events and they actually witnessed all the activity. - I should note, there were 10 on the top level of the bleachers, the other two were too busy talking about the demonstration to pay critical attention to it. - The rest, had lower seats, but could see the entirety of the demonstration area, they also were talking and discussing the events as the events were happening. - The majority who failed to record at least 50% of the actual events, stated they were shocked/awed by the amount of pyro and smoke used - lost in the emotion and action of the event, not, recording the event. But as interesting as perspective is, bias and agenda are also just as interesting filters of the mind, but, hindsight is even more interesting. Starting in the mid-60's and through the 80's there was a significant push to totally re-chronicle American History. This re-chronicling has continued to this day and in many instances - painting all American's and American politics as racist, corrupt and entitled; and, that the United States of America "stole" America from the native Americans; and that, Americans and the United States of America created, funded, and approved of the African slave trade; the vast majority of which is simply false. But it does fit the biased agenda of those re-chronicling history. I too had to study, diagram, and report on the so called "manifest destiny", which BTW was never a national policy or program, but, was a term coined by a newspaper editor to overall describe the issues of expansionism, continentalism, and imperialism issues of the mid-1800s. No where in his right of manifest destiny did he mention race, Indian lands, Christianity, or the "taking" of any lands. Though it was never an official or national policy, many Democrats did identify "Manifest Destiny" as their basis for Democratic policies and actions in the mid to late 1800s; and yes, some of these individuals were very racist, elitist, and very rich. The editor who coined the expression manifest destiny was urging Congress and U.S. citizens to push to annex the Republic of Texas and to settle the border dispute with Britain over the Oregon Territories. (Note; the Republic of Texas and the British Government, as these were the rightful, legal and recognized owners of these lands. Not only recognized by the government of the United States, but, by the leaders and nations of the world.) Additionally "America" never seized, claimed, conquered or took any native American/Indian land. Other nations did yes; Spain, Great Britain, France, Russia and in turn Mexico and Canada as they expanded, but, the United States of America, did not. America did expand into the lands occupied by native Americans and did have many long and protracted wars with the Indians - but, if you review history you will find that America either won independence from one of these countries (Great Britain); annexed with the agreement of the ruling government (West Florida/Texas), through Treaty; through declared war (Mexican Cession); or direct purchase (Louisiana, Gadsden, Alaska) from the nations who legally owned and claimed sovereign title to such property. In any and all events - the native American's lands and properties were first taken, claimed, controlled, owned and occupied by other nations, not, by America. In many cases, numerous countries occupied and claimed these lands before they finally became U.S. property. In every case, there was a large and thriving population, cities, and governments of the owning nation in each of these territories at the time that the U.S. took possession, who either returned to their countries or became Americans. Am I defending how the native Americans were treated before, or, by the U.S. government after taking ownership and possession of these territories? No! But, historically we must be clear, no native American lands were ever taken by the U.S. Government - these lands were taken, claimed, owned and occupied by other nations years before 1776 and many years before the concept of Manifest Destiny was ever penned. Slaves in America? OK, now we jump from mid-1800's all the way back to the very early 1600's when none of the men who you are referencing were even a glimmer in their mothers eye? You need to drag out your Bible, the Torah, the Koran, the Dead Sea Scrolls and, even Babylonian cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphics to even begin to have this discussion. Once again, many nations British, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Danish, Egyptian, Arab, and Oriental were involved in the African slave trade, but primarily Great Britain - way before the United States of America was even a thought or a hope. And, we also need to understand that it was Africans who enslaved other Africans to supply the European buyers with slaves for the Americas. These were primarily prisoners and captives from other African enemy/ethnic groups - but, they were captured, enslaved and sold by Africans, not captures or enslaved by Europeans or Americans. Also, many of the native Americans, were enslaved by the Spanish across the America's and the Caribbean nations/islands until the local native populations were decimated and they started bringing in African slaves as well. Needless to say, YES, the United States of America inherited over 200 years of indentured servitude, convict labor, native American slaves and African slaves in a world where slaves and slavery had been acceptable and legal for at least 8,000 years. But, in less than 100 years the United States of America did abolish slavery and make slavery illegal within the United States. Immigration? On the North American continent - we are all migrants and immigrants, truthfully, mankind all over the world and throughout history - are all, migrants and immigrants. But that was before the concept of national and territorial borders, thousands of years ago. Before the United States became itself a nation - there were immigration laws and rules enforced by the nations who owned the properties and territories. Once, America became a nation, yes, it enacted it's own rules of citizenship and immigration. Have these rules and laws always been fair and equitable? No, but, they were/are the constitutionally enacted rule of law of the nation. You use the term immigrants, but, ever since the nation became a nation we have distinguished between immigrants and illegal aliens, it's only been non-PC to blend this for a few years. But in truth, the nation has dealt with these two separate and distinct legal terms since we became a nation. One is legal, the other is illegal. And, the wall has nothing to do with legal immigration. I am generally a very simple person - if you can't explain it to a 6 year old, you don't understand what you are talking about. That quote is attributed to Albert Einstein and personally, I have tried to be that way most of my life. So, let me give this a try. The difference between a legal immigrant and an illegal alien can be brought down to the concept and reality of your home - this nation is our home, our house. - A legal immigrant is an invited guest that hopes you will adopt into your family. They respect your home, they learn and obey the rules of your house, and, they ultimately want to legally join and be a productive member of your family. - An illegal alien is a burglar, a thief, a squatter or an intruder into your home. They had to break a law just to get into your house, they do not have your permission to be there, and, there are laws that can remove them from your home and send them back to their home. They want to be squatters and to try an make you legally responsible for them through court actions. - My four year old granddaughter understands this concept. - She also understands the concept that you don't have to agree with a law or rule, but, it is still a law/rule and carries punishments. By the way, do you have locks on the doors to your house? I do. You said Mr. Bergman gave you perspective and helped you become a "thinker", hopefully, you'll give me the same opportunity to have you think. It may all be about perspective to some, but, there is always fact too - and often in today's world - they are not the same. If you notice, I did not say truth, because the truth is only facts as perceived by perspectives, not, the facts themselves.
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There may be a difference between legal immigrants and illegal aliens; but I don't think it is practical to advocate for removing millions of illegals. I would rather see my tax dollars go to something else besides deporting people who are often doing jobs that legal residents aren't interested in doing. Better to try to give them some avenues to become citizens.   
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Margie! I don't usually read books, approved or otherwise, but what I do read are historical documents, federal records, treaties, transcripts, Congressional Records, and laws. Yes, I know - boring, dry, and very tedious reading for the most part. But, with my background, it's required, because decisions, plans, and actions, should be based on facts and laws - not on opinions, perceptions, or emotions. And, another thing I had to use were Gant Charts.. sometimes my office would have four, 12 ft long, dry write boards end to end with a Gant Chart of just one course of action. Again, I know - boring, dry and very tedious. But, that's what analysts do - and - it helps me keep to the facts and the points I am working on. I don't know where deporting people came into the discussion, but, a critical path to citizenship should be developed and implemented as soon as possible for the vast majority of the illegal aliens who are currently residents, especially those with children born here and with no criminal record. That critical path is the only thing that makes sense, because without it, controlling our borders makes no sense at all. But, yes, I am a stickler for keeping timelines and responsibility placed where they belong, and even though the Unites States of America has some really dirty laundry in areas, a whole lot of what is being attributed to us, just isn't our fault. Sometimes, like yesterday, it all just flows out. I have always enjoyed your blog, and will continue to. Thanks! Bull
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Margie, quick clarification.. I don't read books when I am doing an analysis on a point - I try to keep it to the facts and official documents. Other than that... I read with a passion! Bull
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