Now I will ask, if the Indians are not called the most mgenious people amongst us ? And are they not said to be men of talents? And 1 would ask, could there be a more efficient way to distress and murder them by inches than the way they have taken ? And there is no people in the world but who may be destroyed in the same way. Another reason is because they have no education to take care of themselves if they had, I would risk them to take care of their own property. They would think it no crime to go upon Indian lands and cut and carry off their most valuable timber, or any thing else they chose and I doubt not but they think it clear gain. Their land is in common stock, and they have nothing to make them enterprising.Īnother reason is because those men who are Agents, many of them are unfaithful, and care not whether the Indians live or die they are much imposed upon by their neighbors who have no principle. Another reason is, because they are made to believe they are minors and have not the abilities given them from God, to take care of themselves, without it is to see to a (ew litde articles, such as baskets and brooms. One reason why they are left so is, because their most sensible and active men are absent at sea. And it is a fact that I have seen them as much so-while the females are left without protection, and are seduced by white men, and are finally left to be common prostitutes for them, and to be destroyed by that burning, fiery curse, that has swept millions, both of red and white men, into the grave with sorrow and disgrace-Rum. Let a gentleman and lady, of integrity and respectability visit these places, and they would be surprised as they wandered from one hut to the other they would view with the females who are left alone, children half starved, and some almost as naked as they came into the world. Let me for a few moments turn your attention to the reservations in the different states of New England, and, with but few exceptions, we shall find them as follows : The most mean, abject, miserable race of beings in the world-a complete place of prodigality and prostitution. It may be that many are ignorant of the situation of many of my brethren within the limits of New England. Now I ask if degradation has not been heaped long enough upon the Indians ? And if so, can there not be a compromise is it right to hold and promote prejudices ? If not, why not put them all away ? I mean here amongst those who are civilized. Having a desire to place a few things befare my fellow creatures who are travelling with me to the grave, and to that God who is the maker and preserver both of the white man and the Indian, whose abilities are the same, and who are to be judged by one God, who will show no favor to outward appearances, but will judge righteousness. How does Apess’s essay engage with the ideas offered by writers like David Cusick or Black Hawk?Īn Indian’s Looking Glass for the White Man.How or why might Apess’s use of the term “looking glass” be important in this context of his essay?. Consider how Apess builds his argument, and his use of Christian ideology.How does he present himself? How does he establish his credibility? Consider how Apess positions himself and his audience.This negotiation is equally evident in “An Indian’s Looking Glass,” where Apess skillfully weaves his religious training with real-life examples of conditions on reservations and unfair governmental policies in order to make a powerful statement on behalf of Native Americans. The illustration shows a careful attention to the multiple spaces he inhabits, including his identity (his mother was Native American and his father was a white man), his educational background, and his real-life experiences. William Apess “An Indian’s Looking Glass for the White Man” 1833Īlthough the image above is from William Apess’s autobiography, A Son of the Forest, it serves as one way for us to approach his essay “An Indian’s Looking Glass for the White Man.” Like many other writers of color during this time period, Apess is careful about how he presents himself to an audience that might be skeptical of his abilities or otherwise resistant to his message.
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