9 Comments
User's avatar
Susan Niemann's avatar

"Check out the local history of your city. Remember that, from a moral and ethical standpoint, it belongs to a group of people who were forced to leave by a rapacious empire. Seek out their name. Learn about the humble nation that lived in your city two hundred years ago."

Another great column, Charles. Insightful, well researched, and sad...We've done a lot of horrible things in this country. 🙄

Expand full comment
Charles Bastille's avatar

Thanks, Susan, I appreciate your reading this and your comment. None of us personally took part in any of this, and many of us, as descendants of those who did, are appalled when we take deep dives into our past (these deep dives were usually not made available to us as school children). My intent was to raise awareness and offer a reminder that, when we look at what lies in front of us, history helps us understand that what we are experiencing under Trump is actually more baked into the national persona than we realize. For that reason, I don't expect a lot of views for this article. It's easier for even the most progressive readers to look away, IMO. So thank you for not looking away. :-)

Expand full comment
Susan Niemann's avatar

I appreciate the history…I love learning. There is a whole lot to read and I try to not miss your essays. Quite good! I think we should teach history with the idea we learn from past mistakes and actions so we don’t repeat them. But the MAGA cult would have a fit! 🙄

Expand full comment
Charles Bastille's avatar

I appreciate that, thanks! I always keep my eyes open for yours, too. Even if I miss them at first, I find them later because about once a week I hunt through my stacks of Substacks to double check I haven’t missed my favorite writers.

Expand full comment
Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

This was incredibly powerful and I affirm your work to shine a light on the real history of place here in America. Thank you for this offering—your effort made an impact upon me.

Expand full comment
Charles Bastille's avatar

Thank you for reading, and for your very kind words. :-)

Expand full comment
Yuri Zhivago, Esq.'s avatar

Yes! I met some members of the nation when i lived in Michigan.

Expand full comment
Charles Bastille's avatar

It's amazing how many parks and other places of interest are named Potawatomi in the midwest. I grew up in a southern Chicago suburb where almost all the streets were named after Midwestern tribal nations.

Expand full comment
Yuri Zhivago, Esq.'s avatar

I liked in Okemos, Michigan. I was highly offended. The schools are named Okemos, Chippewa, etc.

Expand full comment