Letter: Native American ancestors laughing at immigration debate

*A letter to the editor, published in the Topeka Capital-Journal. I’ve seen plenty of memes on social media, and many commentaries expressing this historic reality, but to read it from a native American gives it a special poignancy. VL

Letter to the editor, Topeka Capital-Journal

The first post-1492 immigrants were peaceful pilgrims. They were greeted by the native North Americans with compassion. We helped these immigrants make it through their first winter, until they were able to make it on their own. We learned of their struggle in their native lands and didn’t see any good reason to deny them part of our wonderful land. We had plenty of room, right?.

Then the next waves of immigrants arrived. Some actually bought land from the local natives with shiny beads and trinkets. Most stole our land, murdered our people, killed off our food sources, and pushed us back and back.

Then finally there was some land nobody else wanted, so the native population was allowed to have a tiny portion of our own land. In return, they gave us European diseases, starved us to death, most always with harsh treatment, and contempt for our right as human beings.

Now THEY are having problems with immigrants from the south, and apparently innocent religious immigrants from across the oceans. THEY are not offering these people the compassion their ancestors were shown. THEY are afraid these new immigrants will be like they were when they first came to our land.

As my Choctaw and Cherokee ancestors laugh, and my European ancestors ask “What Happened?” I will continue to be horrified as I observe the infinite cruelty people can inflict on other people in the name of their religion. I’m really sure my God has a frown on His face.

KAREN LOVENDAHL, Meriden

This letter was originally published in The Topeka Capital-Journal.