An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning American History for Young People)

by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Other authorsDebbie Reese (Adapter), Jean Mendoza (Adapter)
Paperback, 2019

Status

Available

Publication

Beacon Press (2019), 272 pages

Description

"Going beyond the story of America as a country "discovered" by a few brave men in the "New World," Indigenous human rights advocate Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz reveals the roles that settler colonialism and policies of American Indian genocide played in forming our national identity. The original academic text is fully adapted by renowned curriculum experts Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza, for middle-grade and young adult readers to include discussion topics, archival images, original maps, recommendations for further reading, and other materials to encourage students, teachers, and general readers to think critically about their own place in history"--

User reviews

LibraryThing member Gwendydd
This is an ambitious book about a huge topic, and Dunbar-Ortiz has a difficult time doing justice to her subject in such a short volume.

This isn't really a history of indigenous people. This is a history of what white Europeans did (and are still doing) to indigenous people. More white people are
Show More
named, and more of their actions described, than indigenous individuals.

Dunbar-Ortiz's main thesis is that the long slow genocide of Native Americans is the defining characteristic of the United States, and has served as the inspiration for many aspects of American culture, and has provided the template for American colonialism abroad (Vietnam, Iraq, etc.). Buried in there is her secondary thesis that Native Americans have survived despite 500 years of systematic destruction of their people and culture, but unfortunately she doesn't have much time to discuss how they have managed to do this.

This book is a merciless condemnation of the history of the United States. Dunbar-Ortiz does not hold back in criticizing American colonialism. For example, in discussing how much the quest for gold was a driving force in colonization, she says "The systems of colonization were modern and rational, but its ideological basis was madness."

This book is part of a series called ReVisioning American History for Young People. I would think that in a book aimed at a young audience, Dunbar-Ortiz doesn't explain more of the basic definitions and characteristics of colonialism. I think this is another effect of trying to fit a lot of information into a small volume - I really wish she had been given free reign to do justice to her subject.

Despite all of these criticisms (which I think are probably a result of the publisher's restrictions, not Dunbar-Ortiz's skill), this is a devastating and important book, and I think all Americans should read it or at least be aware of its narrative.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: The introductory chapters describing the policies and philosophies that rationalized Native genocide are fascinating. Later chapters recount relatively well-known history. The final chapter that weaves together current resistance with the paradigms of the introductory chapters seems a little
Show More
thin.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: The introductory chapters describing the policies and philosophies that rationalized Native genocide are fascinating. Later chapters recount relatively well-known history. The final chapter that weaves together current resistance with the paradigms of the introductory chapters seems a little
Show More
thin.
Show Less

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

264 p.; 5.53 inches

ISBN

0807049395 / 9780807049396

Local notes

young readers
Page: 1.1178 seconds