What Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming says about our republic

This is a bit different that the posts I usually make. But this article and its surrounding history made me sad inside.

It made me sad because I believe this republic could be very noble - a light on the hill providing world leadership in things like mitigating climate change, human rights, social justice, hunger, education. But here, in the treatment of the United States towards the Arapaho tribe, which once lived in Colorado and was forced onto the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming in 1868, we get painful insight into who we really are.

It is hard as someone who believes as I do to come to direct grips with the fact - and it is a fact - that this republic was built on conquest, genocide and slavery.

It was. And that knowledge is painful to bear. We need to figure out a way to redress the grievances, come to terms with the past, talk about it, and create policies that allow for the playing field to be leveled so all people have a real chance to make a good life. Because in truth, most people don't care much for ideology - they just want to have enough. Enough food, shelter, clothing, safety, opportunity, belonging - all that Maslow stuff. But it is true. People need those things. All of us do.

So here's a link to an article in, of all places, Business Insider, about the Wind River Reservation. The prose is so-so, but the pictures - well, you'll see.

https://www.businessinsider.com/wind-river-indian-reservation-in-wyoming-2013-2

It's funny, because coming out with stuff like this causes right wingers to say we 'hate America.' So, I'd like to address that. I don't hate America, because of what this republic could be. But I hate what we have done, and the horrors of our past. It makes me hurt inside.

Equally funny - sometimes prose that I think is my very best and most pithy doesn't get one single response on here. Here I didn't even try. I'm speaking from the heart. You can't look at these photos and think about the history of Native Americans without feeling just sick.