Admit our mistakes, and begin the healing
What does last year’s turmoil at the Fiesta de Santa Fe, the controversies surrounding The University of New Mexico seal, problems at Georgetown, Harvard, Brown, Princeton, North Carolina University and other esteemed repositories of culture and knowledge have in common? They are part of a national awakening that seeks to re-examine our interpretation and propagation of history, as it relates to race and slavery.
Georgetown University recently apologized for its historical ties to slavery. John J. DeGioia, president of Georgetown University, while considering how to proceed with an apology, acknowledged, “I need to be able to bring along an entire community in this process.” The Washington-based university, run by the Roman Catholic Jesuit Order, also expressed remorse. Jesuit Rev. James J. Miracky said, “It’s important to embrace our past, to come to understand it and to be sorry for it.”
After meeting with the Native coalition seeking changes to the seal, thenUNM President Bob Frank admitted, “It’s been a very educational experience for me.” Estevan Rael-Gálvez, former New Mexico state historian, traces his cultural heritage from Pueblo Indians to the Spanish, spanning 500 years. In his dissertation, he focused on American Indian slavery in its different forms, resulting in a unique legacy in New Mexico and southern Colorado.
J. Edson Way, former cultural affairs officer for the state of New Mexico, challenges our traditional way of looking at history by proudly and mischievously stating, “Popé really led the first American revolution.” The late Jack D. Forbes referred to the Pueblo Revolt as the “Great Southwestern Revolt” because of its range, coordination and mass participation. Aren’t different perspectives helpful and enlightening? If that was not the first revolution by Americans, tell me why? To deprive a culture of its history only completes the genocide.
After many years, the United States recently got around to apologizing. Former President Barack Obama signed the Native American Apology Resolution into law on Dec. 19, 2009. This was not a stand-alone resolution. The apology became law as an amendment to a Defense Appropriation Act. It “apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment and neglect inflicted upon them by U.S. citizens.” Admitting what happened begins the healing process.
At a time when America is experiencing racial tensions, understanding our historical relationship with Native Americans becomes essential for progress on racial harmony. As former President George W. Bush said at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “A great nation does not hide its history. It faces its flaws and corrects them.”