Where did all the love and decency go?

This is not going to be anything profound. People in this class summed Sa-go-ye-wat-ha’s speech fairly well. I wont say anything that hasn’t be mentioned before. But this is a story about someone who we stole from. I'm ashamed. I'm a seventh generation Californian and I am part native american (a tiny smidge). But how did I become that way? Was it by force? We took Sa-go-ye-wat-ha’s land and then forced the Christian religion on his people?! I’ve heard about this. I don’t understand why anyone would impose this on a stranger. Religion seems to me to be very personal. Unfortunately, the reason that their culture is become non-existent is because of this. We tell them that their god is no good, or worse yet, doesn’t exist and lead them to “better” ways… Now, we’re all suffering for it. They are without their land and have lost most of people to more modern religions. These American religions are based on a more “convenient” ideas.

 Isn’t the history of religion interesting? That’s really all it is; history. People’s lives are so very different and we’re all trying to understand ourselves and each other. Our lives are so very different from people who were living back in the day of Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, it’s wonderful to read something that is so genuine and innocent. The people who are living in today’s world could gain a lot by modeling after Chief Sa-go-ye-wat-ha. For some it’s taken hundreds of years to learn acceptance of others beliefs. For others, such as Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, it comes naturally. He and his people seem to be more tolerant “We worship…it teaches us to be grateful for all the favors we receive to love of one another, and to be united. We never quarrel about religion… we do not want to destroy your religion or to take it from you. We only want to enjoy our own.” It’s important to learn other people’s traditions & beliefs to understand people and where they come from.

I really want to believe that people are going back to the simpler ways. We’ve realized we haven’t always made the best choices. One example of this is that we’re planting native Californian plants- we’re going back to our roots, so to speak. In Sa-go-ye-wat-ha’s times people were content with their lives. If I were sent into the wilderness and needed food, water, and the other basic survival skills, I’m not sure I would fair well. I’m conscious of that and am working on it.

The indigenous ways are so simplistic. And, they we’re so willing to share and co-exist. How foolish Americans can be. Where did all the love and decency go?