Fraternity-Testvériség, 1964 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1964-11-01 / 11. szám
FRATERNITY 3 No one knows really how many Indians there once were in what is now the United States, but estimates have ranged from 500,000 to 2,000,000 or 3,000,000. In any event, by the middle of the 19th century their numbers had been reduced to several hundred thousand. At this time General Grant decided it was cheaper to feed them than to fight them and the policy of extermination was abandoned in favor of segregation and confinement. The Indians were put on what were euphemistically called reservations, generally the least likely and desirable land from the white man’s point of view. There he was expected to keep to himself and out of harm’s way, with food of a sort provided by the Great White Father. Under such conditions, with his economy shattered, his natural food supply extinguished and his liberty restrained, the Indian’s culture began to wither and the Indian himself to die. By the 20th century it appeared that one more primitive people had paid the usual penalty for contact with a “superior civilization”. Fortunately, under Roosevelt’s New Deal a complete reversal of policy was made. Attention was given to the Indian’s education and health. Efforts were made to develop his economy and make him self- supporting. The Indian began to develop new self-respect and strength. His numbers increased. Today there are more than 500,000 Indians in the United States and by 1970 the 600,000 mark will be passed. The Indian is a citizen of the United States, even though in some respects there are still legal limitations on his property rights. He may leave the reservation if he chooses, and many do. The trouble is, however, that he is not usually prepared for urban life. And there are growing pockets of Indians in some of our major cities who present just as urgent social and welfare needs as any of the other minority groups. Some Indians, like those who work on high steel towers and bridges of New York, are fairly well adjusted. Others, living in the slums or fringe areas of other towns and cities, are marginal men desperately needing help. Some Indians have built up flourishing horse breeding industries, some are successful farmers and merchants for the tourists, and there are some, like the unhappy Senecas of New York, who still have their land taken from them, even if it means flagrantly violating a treaty made by the government and personally guaranteed by George Washington. Social attitudes toward the Indian differ. In some communities he is discriminated against in housing, jobs, education and use of public facilities, just like his Negro or Mexican brother. In other communities little or no discrimination exists, and indeed in some circumstances — particularly if he has oil wealth — he may be sought after socially and maritally. In short, it is a spotty picture. The Indian is not as badly off as some minorities, perhaps, but there still remains enormous room for improvement. That he is beginning to multiply today is a good sign. With America’s growing consciousness that minorities must be helped and not hindered, out of national self-respect as well as morality, the Indian’s future holds promise. A. C. N. S.
