Seminole History/Origins
Originally in the eighteenth century, there were creek tribes who migrated from Georgia and Alabama to the swamps of southern Florida. Black slaves would flee to Florida and interbreed with the creek Indians. This formed the Seminole Indians. Seminole means "wild people" or "runaways". The Seminole history is marred by the many wars they fought. Unlike many other tribes in the United States, they refused to leave their homeland. In the first 58 years of the nineteenth century, they fought four major wars: the creek war(1813), the first Seminole war(1818-1819), the second Seminole war( 1835-1842), and the third Seminole war (1855-1858). These wars devastated the Seminoles. At the beginning of the wars, the Seminole population stood at 5000. By the end of the wars, the population stood at a few hundred. In 1907, they were given 540 acres of land by the US government. Eventually they broke off into two groups; the miccosukee tribe of Seminole Indians and a second group. Each divided the reservation into two distinct halves.References:
N.b. "Brief Summary of Seminole History." . Electronic document http://www.semtribe.com/History/BriefSummary.aspx accessed July 22, 2014
N.b. Florida Division of Historical Resources." Seminole History. Electronic document http://www.flheritage.com/facts/history/seminole/ accessed July 22, 2014
Reflection: while most native groups in North and South America sold away their land and attempted to peacefully solve their problems, I like that the Seminoles fought for their land and rights. I learned that while fighting might be the morally right thing to do, the sacrificing in life and resources aren't a good recipe for long term success. I think the legacy of the Seminoles is amazing. Despite the population lost, they have endured and have tributes for them, like Florida state naming their mascot after them. And how many other groups have their own casinos! I truly have enjoyed learning about a truly remarkable group that has adapted in modern years but still maintained their strong sense of unity and culture.
ReplyDeleteI Like the fact that you add the history of it. It is important to know all that. Your reflection is interesting too, but you need to add a bit of course content. Something from films watched, for instance. We watched - as I was commenting on Andrew's post - "We Still Live Here." You might want to add some content from there. Even if that film is about language, there is a historical component that matches yours somehow. Now, you make a very interesting point about the mascot of Florida State. Remember what we talked about the commodification of culture, and how people sell culture. You may want to talk about ethnocentrism, and stereotypes, and how some groups reject to be used as mascots, or in logos, or how some other might be co-opted, or talked into it. As I was saying in other comments here, no need to make a big deal, but show me you have been coming to class - which you have, I know, and doing your readings too. I want to see some course content here too. Keep it up, and let me know when you redo your reflection so I can read it. It is interesting Bram. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSomething I did not say, but I am telling everyone in your group. There is some consistency in your references, but you all need to decide if you are going to add dates for the online publications, and those of you who do not have dates available, just write N.d. where the date should go. Finally, don't use parentheses where it says "accessed..." I made a comment on Mattt's reflection. Look at it, and email me if you, or any other member of your group has questions about all this, or the presentations. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very cool that the Yanomami, which we saw in class, are really just a group of tribes. Some speak different languages and really have their own cultures. The seminoles also have had a similar split. The seminoles split to preserve their culture or to assimilate into the United State culture. The Yanomami didn't separate because they wanted to though, they divided because of environmental differences, which really prevented them from growing as one true tribe in the dense amazon. As an United States citizen, I'm probably guilty of looking at other cultures too much through my own. There are many instances of Native American groups not wanting mascots named after them because they find it offensive. Since we are ethnocentric, the excuse we use is that we are honoring them, instead of using it as an insult. The Washington Redskins is a pro-football team and Native Americans find the name offensive and want it changed. Its being taken to the supreme court and might force the name to be changed. The Seminole Indians for many years have felt that the Florida State Seminole mascot honored them but now they feel its offensive and want it changed too! As a Jewish man, I should realize that the seminoles are very much like my own culture. Jews in this country are also divided over similar problems that divided the Seminoles. Some Jews want to assimilate in the United States and don't mind marrying Christian and completely dropping their religion. While others live in communities in New York and Miami which are very Jewish and feel even more Jewish and live more Jewish.
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