2007-01-09 11:08:54 · 9 answers · asked by Lidie C 1 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
I personally feel no responsibility, as some of my ancestors were probably on that trail (I have Cherokee roots) and others of my ancestors were not yet in the country.
But to generalize as a white American, the things our government did were clearly wrong, and we can see that perfectly in hindsight. And slavery? That was bad too. As far as future generations are concerned, they should learn about those events, be told the full truth about those events, learn that we should not make these same mistakes again, *and move on.*
If we continue to dwell on the mistakes of the past, we can not move on into the future. I do not feel that reparations are necessary, I do not feel that we need to apologize every three months for something that happened almost two centuries ago. What we can do, however, is make sure that similar atrocities are not carried out in other countries (read: the hot-button topic of Darfur).
2007-01-09 14:23:17 · answer #1 · answered by woocowgomu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Oklahoma in Chickasaw Territory. I don't feel that any one person today, living that is, could be held or feel responsible for what any of our ancestors did, however the people that live in this country today are responsible for what happens to the Native American Peoples now. How the American Native Peoples are treated today is all of our responsibility.
Someone said that you can equate it to being kicked out of your house and another family moves in, but if the children do nothing to right the wrong then they are guilty too. This is true.
This US government has tried to make some of the wrongs right for the Native American Peoples, but this Government can never give back what was taken.
There were things that the Government could not take and that was the Spirit and Traditions, those will live forever.
2007-01-09 19:47:48 · answer #2 · answered by Pyrette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think people should be more concerned about what is going on in the present. The past is history. No matter how bad it is we can't change what happened so long ago. We should focus on now, make changes that count. Do I feel responsible for the Trail of Tears? No. Niether should anyone else who was not alive at that time. Should we learn about it and make sure it doesn't happen again? Absolutely.
2007-01-09 19:33:39 · answer #3 · answered by armywifetp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We cannot go back in time and right the wrongs of the past, but we can learn from our mistakes. Do I personally feel responsible for pushing the Indians off of their lands or enslaving the Africans? No. I also do not believe in reparations, but I do feel that we need to try and treat everyone with respect and afford everyone the right to a decent job, housing, food, medical care, etc.
2007-01-09 19:23:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think you realize your question was cut. But i dont think i am responsible for it at all. What my ancestors did have nothing to do with me. Somehow if you have the same blood as someone your just as bad and evil as them. it was a terrible thing that happened though. It did shape us into what we are now. But that does not deny the fact it was horrible and inexcusable. Im part indian and part spanish and scottish. That means in killed myself i guess haha. How dare myself do such a thing.
2007-01-09 19:23:44 · answer #5 · answered by Beaverscanttalk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you benefit from the economy that that stolen land produced, you are responsible. And since that land that was taken from the indigenous people was used to increase the overall economy of the United States, everyone has benefitted so everyone is responsible (except those whose land was stolen).
It's like if I went to your house and kicked you out and my family came over and lived in it. Then my kids have kids and they lived in the same house. They may not have been the ones who originally kicked you out, but they still benefitted from living there instead of doing the right thing which is to give you back the house.
2007-01-09 19:18:35 · answer #6 · answered by trer 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
We aren't responsible becaise we didn't live back then. Hello where is your head?
Are you responsible for slavery?
2007-01-09 19:49:32 · answer #7 · answered by amyestabrooks@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am part Native American and my family was relocated at that time.
2007-01-10 08:54:01 · answer #8 · answered by blakree 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm black but i'm still an american and so i feel that even I shoulder some of the responsibility for our countries crimes, including slavery.
2007-01-09 19:12:58 · answer #9 · answered by Soundjata 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋