Wurtz Cabin, U.S. Forest Service —- I think a lot about homesteaders. The prevailing themes of my childhood were having a father from the Soviet Union, and being descended from Montana pioneers who’d homesteaded land that my grandfather’s cousin still ranched until his death a few years ago (his son now runs it). Being proud of all of it was expected, even when the other kids ran around at recess time calling me a commie and saying my dad was a spy.
What a gift to have the exact topic that's been rolling around inarticulately in your brain for the past few days put to writing just perfectly. Jeez this is well-done.
You know how much I think of this too, Nia. The flip side also from the Indigenous perspective is this: what do reparations look like? Is it all about money? Is it about getting land back? It is all so complicated.
Thank you for catalyzing these discussions, Antonia. Indeed:
"The fact that so many in our society—tens of millions of people—are determined to stick to the varnished, paper-thin story of American exceptionalism, the fact that they’re threatened by efforts to teach real history, is something beyond exhausting."
What a gift to have the exact topic that's been rolling around inarticulately in your brain for the past few days put to writing just perfectly. Jeez this is well-done.
You know how much I think of this too, Nia. The flip side also from the Indigenous perspective is this: what do reparations look like? Is it all about money? Is it about getting land back? It is all so complicated.
Great writing as always
Thank you for catalyzing these discussions, Antonia. Indeed:
"The fact that so many in our society—tens of millions of people—are determined to stick to the varnished, paper-thin story of American exceptionalism, the fact that they’re threatened by efforts to teach real history, is something beyond exhausting."