Reading log entries done weekly helped me reflect on the past.

The task was to read one or two articles provided and them reflect on the readings.

          Both articles, “The Beothuk on the eve of their extinction” and “The collapse of the Beothuk world” have very self explanatory titles regarding the extinction of the Beothuk tribe. The titles were relevant to what both articles discussed. The era of the 1800’s seemed racial against Native Americans. In the readings this week the specific discussion is focussed on the Boethuk disappearance or if you wish extinction. It is shocking learning more on what Europeans put Natives through. In the European mind and all, this act was normal. Something which stood out is the fact that it is mentioned that “Beothuk are ultimately doomed”. This line was very harsh which was also proven in both articles. These particular articles are very old and may not be as accurate but both are very detailed as to what was “discovered” as to what happened. In the article “The Beothuk on the eve of their extinction” there was a story shared which really stood out and justified what the article would discuss. “Peyton’s, violent capture of the Indian Damasduit eight years later, her untimely passing while being delivered back to her people, Shanawdithit’s desperate surrender in April, 1823 and, with her death in 1829, the extinction of the beothuk”. It was no coincidence that she happened to pass as they were releasing her back to her tribe. “Emphasis on the ability of the Beothuk to adapt to the European presence (1992a:1), I attempt to further illuminate beothuk agency and coping strategies in the historic period”. Europeans had a plan and that was to “get rid” of the Native culture. By proving a point they murdered off Beothuk tribe members. ““John Peyton Senior, and infamous “Indian killer,” William Cornmack, a concerned intellectual””. This line reveals that there was a plan to dismiss all Beothuk or change their culture to the European way. Killing the Indian culture in the 1800’s is unbelievably and embarrassing. The Natives went through a lot for what reason? It still leaves one thinking as why Natives went through this rather than the Europeans? Back then, it seemed to be a horrible time to have lived in, especially for natives. As an outsider, I would have definitely stood against any kind of act even if it resulted in me paying for it. No individual deserves to feel like they do not belong or what they believe in and live by is wrong. Fortunately, no one is judged by their race, or beliefs.

There are a lot of sexest people out there who believe that there are gender specific jobs. Which can have some truth in it but not in the 1700’s. The article “The Nagging Wife” was incredible because Native woman took a stance to create something greater with more output as to how it should be done. Native woman in the fur trades of the 1700’s were greatly appreciated as they provided a family, knowledge for health and proper working attire.While arranged marriages occurred for the Native woman, they married white Europeans at young ages. Young newly married Native woman would start producing multiple children.This was good because the native culture would remain by population allowing children raised to take over businesses of trades.Medical treatment was not a strong suit for men of the 1700’s. Plants, seeds and other herbs were sought out by Native woman ass treatment for illness or infection. This fact made life for men working a lot different.As well as working men did not have proper clothing attire and the woman stepped up and started making moccasins and clothing out of the hide of the animals. They came up with the staining of clothes to make for proper thermal heat. By this time men had realized they all needed to marry Native women because they had great knowledge and the men would gain more with these women in their lives.This article was inspiring to women because it really proved how woman served great purpose in those years. Sadly in the 1800 assimilation was being proposed so Native woman would not have stood tall for much longer. In those years and for possible years to come they could have been a great asset to the men. Not just for the necessities of being taken care of but they also took a stand in the trades themselves, investing more and taking control of the trades. Native woman of the 1700’s were empowering and encouraging.

 

 

The act of resistance by Afua Cooper is written to shed light on what the black men and woman did in order to gain their freedom from slavery. The main argument of this article is that African Americans had to make a stand for their own right and they certainly did. It sound’s unsettling that the slavery went on for almost 2 decades. I read in another article there was a native Chief who captured and African American man as his slave which is astonishing because Native Americans were also being pulled from their own traditions. This article explained their fight for freedom well but it is not exactly the “real story” as it is coming from a second source.This historic past reflects on the other reading logs we have done as well only because it talks about different races who are discriminated and treated poorly for selfishness of the Europeans. If it was not for the brave souls of Henry Lewis and Chloe Cooley I do not think the government would have acknowledged the fact that slavery was wrong, and “the act” would not have been pulled through. The African Americans went through harsh experiences which again makes me feel ashamed to be white at times but after their battles they gained freedom.

 

 

The two documents “Into that country to work” and “British Columbia’s gold rushes both strongly reflected on first nations in the economy of the fur trade. The first document mainly focuses on the general working aspect of the native Americans vs. The Europeans. “Into that country to work” explains both male and female working rolls in the gold rush. I believe that the males were great contributes to the mining and rail road building. Although some were working as carriers this wasn’t exactly a gratefully rewarding job because the road and trails to get from one city to another took a long time for the men because of obstacles where it became dangerous. Everyone in this time were doing what they had to do to make money and live. Woman were murdered because they prostituted their way into the trade. From reading this article men were savages because they did not respect woman, they only got what they needed which was sex and some killed the woman because it was not right what they were doing. The second document focuses on the first nations and how they felt taken over on their own territory. White men soon were being murder in their sleep or their belongings were stolen throughout the nights. This was not exactly right, but again the Native Americans had motive and they were not exactly going to play fair. However, populations were still adding and soon hopefully everyone will fall into routine and work together.

 

 

Morgan, “‘In search of the phantom misnamed honor'” and Bown, “Pistols at Six O’Clock”

After having read both articles, each form the image on pistol duels in the 1790 and 1800’s. One uses a story signifying the battle and the second uses multiple stories discussing the laws against the duels. Both serve the purpose of understanding duels and how the were controlled and banished because they served no real purpose other than releasing anger and gaining the feeling of power over a particular matter. After all these duels did not always end in death sometimes just wounds. Reflecting on the two papers, dulling happened and does not happen anymore. Some men believed this action would honor them and some men had deep hatred against it because it was against the laws of the church. Most of these fights happened over non important matters from what was written. “Pistols of sic o’clock” duel occurred because of a misinterpreted story which we call today as gossip. Also majority of what is said in “Search of The Phantom Misnamed Honor” is the same idea. Therefore, all the arguments ending in duels whether resulting in death or wounds and dual indicate how ridiculous these duels were. They were unnecessary and really in this case they were an immature way of handling anger and masculinity. Although duels seemed to be a bit ridiculous both authors served their purpose with explaining what pistol duels were, why they happened and who were involve.

As for our seminar group…

We worked together one week to solve a mystery..

We Do Not Know His Name Mystery

All in all, the weekly reading and reflections helped form a bigger picture on the issues which occurred in those days.