Are conditions for native americans similar to those experienced by black africans under apartheid?

Question

What are the similarities and differences between the reservation system in the US and the townships of South Africa during apartheid?

Answer 1

That's an easy one: they are nothing the same because under apartheid blacks were *forced* into living in the townships whereas natives *choose* to live on reservations so as to exploit the hordes of government handouts they qualify for. Any native can come off the reserve and actually work hard like the rest of Americans are forced to so as to survive, but the vast majority choose to leech off the rest of us taxpayers and then whine about how they're not getting enough money to pay for premium satellite service.

Answer 2

Native Americans are American citizens and don't need internal passports to travel inside the country, unlike Africans living under apartheid. Native Americans were forced to learn English, just as Africans were forced to learn Afrikaans and English, but that **** stopped here sometime in the 20's. Since then US policy towards the reservations has mostly been one of benign neglect (with some corruption, graft, and shoddy treatment) and it is safe to say that few Americans hate Native Americans (unlike the still racially charged atmosphere in South Africa). However, the levels of poverty are quite similar, and with that, poor access to health care.

Answer 3

One of the major differences is that blacks in south africa were a vast majority of the population, 6 times the population of the dutch settlers. That is why they were able to overthrow apartheid, of course with the help of the international community, and Nelson Mandela to become the leader. That won't happen with the Natives, at least not the same way. Also, Natives aren't required to live on reservations, it was supposed to be a gesture of acknowledgement of stealing their land, by returning the land to them. It didn't fare so well...needless to say. One major similarity I hae seen is the parallel between Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, and other political prisoners in South Africa, to the native american political prisoner Leonard Peltier, who is STILL held without charge in this country. He is an interesting story, you should read more about, if you haven't already.

Answer 4

I dont think so. Although i got only little direct experience of them.
Black southafricans had been set aside from the entire social system, unable (and forbidden ) to create their own social identity.
Native americans have been pushed off the land and on the margin of society,but their beliefs, their religion, their world was and is 'morally' and 'socially' more advanced than their oppressors'.
In a word, southafricans black had nothing to gain and nothing to remember, Native americans are waiting for 'mother land' to be back, and they will succeed.

Answer 5

Very different, since the Europeans who invaded the Americas, exterminated most of the Natives.
Thus, the natives in America are minority, in most issues, including numbers.

Answer 6

No casinos in the townships.