PBS: American Experience We Shall Remain

[Louis]

Has anybody been watching this series?

It airs Monday nights and repeats a few times during the week.

American Experience did a 5 part series on Native Americans.

Starting with the history behind Thanksgiving and ending tonight with Wounded Knee.

The series has been great.

The 3rd episode was about the Trail of Tears. We learn a little bit about in hisotry when we are growing up but never really learn the story.

Pretty saddening and really helps me understand why many tribes (especially the elders) are suspicious of assimilation or what is referred to on my rez as "living like a white man".

Too many people on my rez, they joke and laugh about the Cherokees and how many people claim to have a small quantum of Cherokee blood.

After watching this episode and reading more about the Cherokee past, it's really one of the more sad moments in American history. From Andrew Jackson to Georgia, the blatant disregard for a Supreme Court ruling to negotiated treaties is a stain on our country's birth.

So far this show has yet to disappoint and because tonight is closer to home I'm certain they'll end the We Shall Remain series as strong as they've started.

 

[Mulli]

sounds good. Trail of Tears happened on Martin Van Buren's watch (Jackson set the stage). Boo Martin Van Buren.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Thank you, thank you for the head's up. One of the things I hold most dear is my copy of "Voices From Wounded Knee - 1973" which I got at a pow-wow the following year and was considered subversive in Nixon's America. My Dad and I were in Wounded Knee the summer after the occupation with friends from the AIM.

Everyone in college was protesting Vietnam. I was writing papers on Dennis Banks and Russell Means.