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This is a formal persuasive speech to the white mayor of Chicago by the Grand Council of American Indians asking him to preserve the memory of the Indian people in American history and to correct the misinterpretations of past events. The council argue that they were the original Americans, that American history was being distorted to ignore the Indian reasons behind the wars, and to show American Indians as murderers, thieves, and uncivilised savages. On the contrary, the council argues that the Indians were defending their livelihood (homes, hunting grounds, forests, etc. ) and killings must be seen in his sense. They couldn't be thieves since they didn't own much. The council provides evidence of a rich culture of song, oratory, story and legend. The council continue to state that the Indians were at first peaceful towards the European settlers, and how they have supported the administration that has mistreated them. As a persuasive piece is quite powerful in the way it a. presents a consistent argument of misinterpretation and abuse b. deals with counter-objections by explaining why Indians fought and killed c. analyses the language of oppression d. bases its arguments on accepted facts e. introduces new and unknown, but believable evidence f. doesn't assume the sniveling tone of a hard-done-by school-boy or the arrogance of an unthinking dictator. g. Ends with a reasonable request that has become accepted by many modern Americans. It's tone and appeal are both intellectual and humanitarian. However, it does generalise history in the same way that the American history-book writers were. Also, it glorifies Indian culture to a technologically and economically superior people. In addition, it might not have been too well received since there were still people alive who had fought in the wars they mention. An interesting question is to compare this description of the American nation with "What is an American." Remember, this one is quite recent while the other sees the Americans as they are beginning to form. Let's be fair, an even more interesting, but much darker, question is to ask if the Americans are any different to any other victorious culture. |
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