File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1998/marxism-international.9801, message 28


Date: Sat, 03 Jan 1998 20:37:03 +0000
From: Mark Jones <Jones_M-AT-netcomuk.co.uk>
Subject: Re: M-I: Re: Marx on Native Americans


James Heartfield wrote:

> In message <34AE7B53.81E10404-AT-netcomuk.co.uk>, Mark Jones
> <Jones_M-AT-netcomuk.co.uk> writes
> >But the whole point here is that in the process of negotiating
> >the Indian Treaties  the United States also was put in the position of
> >consituting legal subjects where none had previously existed. In that sense the
> >treaties were not just unequal, they were a mockery, genocidal savagery, the
> >trampling to death of pre-capitalist social formations.
>
> Wasn't that what I said?
> --
> James Heartfield

James, your general position is that when great nations oppress small nations, or
the powerful intimidate and bully the weak, it is better to give in than to fight
back. You support the bully on the grounds that he is stronger and more likely to
win. The spectacle of resistance embarrasses and irritates you.

The issue in this debate is just what it WAS that " put the US  in the
position of consituting legal subjects where none had previously existed."?

It was the determined resistance of the Indians which made it necessary to
acknowledge their existence and even their interests, in the only way the
Americans could: by negotiating with them and signing deals with them.

The fact that the negotiations were a mockery and American
intentions genocidal, makes it MORE important, not less, that they were obliged to
treat, to make deals, to sign agreements which they were then obliged to publicly,
not secretly, dishonour, and the Treaties still exist as witness of the racism,
perfidy and shame of US imperialism. That, of course, is why you object to them.
Like every turncoat, your hatred of the victim and the oppressed is sharpened
because the obstinate, awkward facts are a constant reminder of your own moral
nature.

Mark


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