The Native American experience offers a particular illustration of racism in history and today.
When Europeans arrived on the shores of this country, they were often blind to the dignity of indigenous peoples. Colonial and later US policies toward Native American communities were often violent, paternalistic and directed toward the theft of Native American land. Native Americans were killed, imprisoned, sold into slavery and raped. These policies decimated entire communities and brought about tragic death.
The results were massive forced relocations of people, as endured by the Cherokee people on the “Trail of Tears” and of the Navajo in the “Long Walk.” Thousands of men, women and children died during those forced removals. Schools and orphanages began “Americanizing” Native children by forcing them to abandon all facets of their culture, including their native languages. The devastation caused by national policies of expansion and manifest destiny, fueled by racist attitudes, led to the near eradication of Native American peoples and their cultures.
The effects of this evil remain visible in the great difficulties experienced by Native American communities today. Poverty, unemployment, inadequate health care, poor schools, the exploitation of natural resources and disputes over land ownership in Native American communities are the legacy of these evils today.
In the 1990 pastoral letter, “Heritage and Hope: Evangelization in the United States,” the US bishops wrote, “As Church, we often have been unconscious and insensitive to the mistreatment of our Native American brothers and sisters and have at times reflected the racism of the dominant culture of which we have been a part.” All Catholics are called to give renewed attention to historical and present injustices resulting from racism against Native Americans, better integrate the needs and contributions of Native Catholics, and work for greater justice for the descendants of the first Americans.
For more information:
• USCCB Subcommittee on Native American Affairs (usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/native-american/)
• “Native American Catholics at the Millennium,” Ad Hoc Committee on Native American Catholics, 2003 (usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/native-american/resources/upload/NA-Catholics-Millennium.pdf)
• “1992: A Time for Remembering, Reconciling, and Recommitting Ourselves as a People: Pastoral Reflections on the Fifth Centenary and Native American People,” National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1991 (usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/native-american/resources/upload/a-time-for-remembering.pdf)
• Native American Protocols, Archdiocese of Los Angeles (la-archdiocese.org/gov/Documents/PROTOCOLS%20FINAL%20APPROVED.pdf)
• Black and Indian Mission Office (blackandindianmission.org)