first week

Up until now, as a history major, I have concentrated mainly around the World War II and Holocaust era. I am glad now that I have decided to take classes that are centered closer to home. I took Rita Napier's history class on the plains indians and that was where I first learned about the Kennewick Man. Of course we have all learned about the white man's mistreatment of the Native Americans and their culture, but after taking that class and learning what I am now in this class, it's unfortunate to know that the mistreatment is still going on today to a certain extent. The battle over the Kennewick Man is a big example of how the U.S. government seems almost indifferent to the beliefs and wishes of Native Americans. In Napier's class we watched a great video which brought up a lot of different instances of the battles that are currently going on to get the bones of native people from museums so they can be properly buried. Of course scientists and other researchers want to run tests to learn more about the people who first inhabited North America, but we need to think about who those tests are affecting. I feel almost a little disappointed in myself for not being more educated on topics such as these earlier in life. Controversies such as this will continue on for years to come, if they are ever solved at all.