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A response to America's Concentration Camps—specifically, to my trivia question on the subject:
Camille,
>> I also note you picture a rather modern prison camp, evocative of Viet Nam, USSR or even World War II. No such camp ever existed in 19th century America, and this is from a website that is obviously concentrating on "Native Americans." <<
I never said a "modern prison camp" existed in 19th century America. And my website deals with a range of issues including racism, violence, and terrorism.
>> What's the reason for the modern prison camp photo in regards 19th century Native Americans? eh? <<
It illustrates the idea of American concentration camps, obviously. It's a picture of the present-day concentration camp at Guantanamo Bay, in case you haven't figured it out.
>> In fact, the phrase "concentration camp" is from the Nazi's of World War II and the Communists of the Stalin era. I'm very familiar with the Native American tribes of 19th century USA and I without a doubt, there NEVER WERE any "concentration camps" in 19th century America with any Indians inside. <<
Concentration camps could and did exist before the term came into being. Similarly, genocide could and did occur before the word "genocide" came into being.
>> So the question itself is bogus. <<
No, your understanding of the "concentration camp" concept is bogus. Here's the definition for you:
Concentration camp: "A camp where persons (as prisoners of war, political prisoners, or refugees) are detained." —Webster's Dictionary, Tenth Edition
You don't seem to be clear on what actually happened at Bosque Redondo. Let me fill you in:
In 1863 and 1864, as the Anglo settlers' demand for land grew, the United States government forced more than 8,500 Navajo men, women and children to march in harsh winter conditions for hundreds of miles to Bosque Redondo, New Mexico (present-day Ft. Sumner) as part of President Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act. Some Navajos were able to escape and hide at Navajo Mountain. As the march went on, the Navajo were forced to leave their elderly and young children behind to die. Five months later, the Navajos arrived at Bosque Redondo. Many Navajos died at the wretched prison camp, due to poor living conditions. The Navajos were imprisoned for about six years, and released in May 1868. Bosque Redondo had been proved as a miserable failure, because of poor planning, disease, crop infestation and generally poor conditions for agriculture.
>> But I bet I know her answer. I bet it's initals are BR, I bet it's the same old tired Navajo lie, and I bet the person she thinks primarily responsible is...his initials are CC. <<
I bet you're right. But are you saying Navajos weren't held prisoner at Bosque Redondo? Where's your evidence for that?
In this context, I couldn't care less about Kit Carson's role in rounding up and imprisoning Navajos. Nor did I say anything about his role. Bosque Redondo fits the definition of "concentration camp" whether you like it or not.
>> THEREFORE...you are trying to rewrite history. <<
Am I? Not that you've shown with anything resembling evidence. Stamping your feet and disagreeing with me isn't a valid intellectual argument. It's a childish argument from someone who apparently can't handle the truth.
>> No thanks robschmidt, keep your comics of lies and try your brainwashing elsewhere. <<
You're the one who visited my site and tackled my trivia question. If you don't like it, try your revisionist history elsewhere. My website and I aren't going anywhere.
>> Some of us out here know our history, and you, sir, do not. <<
You haven't shown me you know jack about history. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Rob
Related links
Bosque Redondo = model for Auschwitz
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