Chapter 9

                   For this chapter, I enjoyed reading the part that talked about how Westerners craved sociability. After all these talks about the suffering of Natives, political issues, and discrimination, it was refreshing to read about history on a more positive note. I think the description fits the stereotypical portrayal of the olden, western families. Similar to several scenes in movies, the men participated in athletic and competitive activities, while the women focused on sewing bees, carpet tackings, and goose and chicken plucking. It was quite interesting to note the difference between the social activities then and now. On a more depressing subject, Indians still could not get a break from America’s greedy needs! Despite so many revolts and battles, the Indians couldn’t make any progress due to the lack of officially trained armies and weapons. What was most upsetting was the Trail of Tears, during which 8,000 Cherokees died during and after the removal. It got to me emotionally because I feel that they deserved better because despite the color of their skin, they were ultimately, only humans just like everyone else! I realized that history definitely reveals some of the most shameful incidences in America, some of which were related to the treatments of ethnic groups such as African Americans and Native Americans.