[Reaper Man]

I realize that we dicked the Native Americans over really, really bad. In fact, despite many minorities claims to supreme persecution, I think the situation of the Native American was probably the biggest black mark on this country's past. With that said, I honestly cannot abide Indian reservations. It is not a place where culture is preserved. Worse than that, the state of affairs of the Indian reservations is atrocious. The occupy some of the poorest counties in the nation and the squalor found in many of them are comparable to third world countries. From what I can see, the only people who want to keep the damn things are a select few people who take advantage of the fact that there are no federal regulations on them.

Although it is not as bad as the horrific conditions the Native Americans exist in, I was reminded of the problems that reservations cause when I read the article on Morrison and how he was able to compete in MMA despite having HIV because it was on an Indian Reservation.

Sweet Jesus--why do we have the fucking things? Does anyone (including the American Indian) see any value to these places, except for the select few getting all of the money?


EDIT TO MODS: I dunno if this belongs in the War Room or not. If so, just move it.

[carryaglock9]

you're right, giving them land for a 'reservation' was basically the fed govt tossing the wrongfully displaced native-americans a bone, all in the sake of 'good consiousness'. it was, and still is, a JOKE

[Reaper Man]

I think it is worse than a joke frankly.

[Girljock]

aren't some of the most profitable casinos on reservations? Maybe they need to share the wealth...I dunno. I dont' know if it's true or not, but a few profs have said at my university, native americans get tuition waived and they get a stipend. There are poor in many parts of the country for many reasons.

[Bas Rutten Gear]

I think you could not be anymore off on Indian reservations. Most of the Indian reservations do in fact keep up with tribal conditions and with the advent of the casinos on Indian land, the tribes are now becoming rich and able to take care of themselves.

[Three Gun Fish]

You know how Ferris says to Cameron, "Your car is a piece of shit, but at least you have a piece of shit." You remember that? It speaks to the notion that What's Ours Ain't Much, But At Least It's OURS.

Now imagine you're in your room. Some guy comes in and says, "We're taking this room away."

You're like, "But I live here. It's mine."

Some guy nods, says, "Sure it is. How about I give you money, and you promise to stay on the bed?"

And you're like, "Well that sucks."

And he's like, "What do you think of my gun?"

And so you say, "Bed's fine with me. Will you be paying by cash or check?"

"Whiskey."

" . . . terrific."

Reservation is sovereign land. It's not America. Because it exists outside the federal restrictions that states must abide by, it gets to run casinos. Among other things.

Reservations are shitty because the government allocated the shittiest of lands. Gentrification and racism have made it difficult to improve these conditions.

Reservations still exist despite your objections because no one wants to be the guy who stole the little kid's bed after taking away the room, the house, the lawn, and the road everything sits on.

[stand up wit me]

Originally Posted by Reaper Man

I realize that we dicked the Native Americans over really, really bad. In fact, despite many minorities claims to supreme persecution, I think the situation of the Native American was probably the biggest black mark on this country's past. With that said, I honestly cannot abide Indian reservations. It is not a place where culture is preserved. Worse than that, the state of affairs of the Indian reservations is atrocious. The occupy some of the poorest counties in the nation and the squalor found in many of them are comparable to third world countries. From what I can see, the only people who want to keep the damn things are a select few people who take advantage of the fact that there are no federal regulations on them.

Although it is not as bad as the horrific conditions the Native Americans exist in, I was reminded of the problems that reservations cause when I read the article on Morrison and how he was able to compete in MMA despite having HIV because it was on an Indian Reservation.

Sweet Jesus--why do we have the fucking things? Does anyone (including the American Indian) see any value to these places, except for the select few getting all of the money?


EDIT TO MODS: I dunno if this belongs in the War Room or not. If so, just move it.

i wanna just tell them to "go back were you came form", you know what i mean

[rdstrop]

Originally Posted by Three Gun Fish

You know how Ferris says to Cameron, "Your car is a piece of shit, but at least you have a piece of shit." You remember that? It speaks to the notion that What's Ours Ain't Much, But At Least It's OURS.

Now imagine you're in your room. Some guy comes in and says, "We're taking this room away."

You're like, "But I live here. It's mine."

Some guy nods, says, "Sure it is. How about I give you money, and you promise to stay on the bed?"

And you're like, "Well that sucks."

And he's like, "What do you think of my gun?"

And so you say, "Bed's fine with me. Will you be paying by cash or check?"

"Whiskey."

" . . . terrific."

Reservation is sovereign land. It's not America. Because it exists outside the federal restrictions that states must abide by, it gets to run casinos. Among other things.

Reservations are shitty because the government allocated the shittiest of lands. Gentrification and racism have made it difficult to improve these conditions.

Reservations still exist despite your objections because no one wants to be the guy who stole the little kid's bed after taking away the room, the house, the lawn, and the road everything sits on.

Ageed!

[Phaedrus]

Good post Reaper Man.

I've always thought that the reservations should be entirely sovereign, or that they should be dissolved/integrated entirely.

I live in an area which is very highly populated by native americans (Northern Minnesota) and out of those two options I would rather see dissolution-- that is just my opinion. And if, on the other hand, the reservations are to stay then they need to be completely sovereign.

No handouts from the American government, etc.

[missrizz]

It's no doubt that we screwed the american indians in the begining, but we sure loved having them fight for us in WWII. Shows how great their people really are.