The Forgotten Ugly Traditions in America's Colonial and Frontier History
Everyone in the United States had a hand in the extinguishing and expropriation of Native Cultures. This is a widely recognized fact, but it often comes with the assumption that the blame lies primarily with white Protestant European settlers. However, it is essential to recognize the crucial role played by other communities, particularly Irish Catholics and Scottish-Irish settlers, in the displacement and clash with Native peoples, especially in the Appalachian Mountains and frontier territories of the early 1800s.
The Roles of Different Groups in Settling the Frontier
The American West is another area where this history is often oversimplified. Many people believe that it was solely the domain of the WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) cowboys, who violently pushed Native peoples out of their lands, particularly in regions like Oklahoma and Dakota territories. However, this narrative is inaccurate.
For instance, one-third of the cowboys in these regions were Vaqueros, an admixture of Hispanic and Native descent, and one-quarter were black, which led to the term "cowboy" being derogatory in some contexts. These cowboys were no less ruthless and violent than their white counterparts. They performed their duties through hard work and often harsh methods, far from the romanticized image of singing around the campfire with Native peoples.
Conquest and the Founding of Black Towns in the West
The American West also saw the emergence of a significant number of majority-black towns and cities until the 1960s. These towns were not founded on previously unoccupied lands nor through acts of friendship or mutual respect. Instead, they were created through conquest, much like their white counterparts.
The history of these towns is complex and often overlooked. Unlike the narrative of white settlers conquering unoccupied lands, these towns came into existence through a process of expansion and conquest. This highlights the shared responsibility in the history of colonialism and frontier settlement in America.
The Complexity of Colonial History
It is crucial to address the racism experienced by minority groups throughout American history with the same level of concern and urgency as the broader narrative of colonialism. However, it would be erroneous to suggest that because certain groups also committed violent acts against Native peoples, they are absolved from blame.
While white people held an outsized amount of the blame for the crimes perpetrated against Native peoples, other groups like Irish Catholics, Scots-Irish, and African Americans also played significant roles. For those living west of the Mississippi and whose ancestors were here before 1910, there is a shared responsibility in this history.
Understanding and acknowledging these complex histories is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and accurate understanding of America's past. It is important to recognize the diverse roles different communities played in shaping the country's history, and to address the legacies of these events with honesty and accountability.