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The making of a Savage
Native Americans were labeled "Savage" by people moving in, determined on stealing everything for themselves. As long as the outsiders could consider the Native American Indians as something less than themselves, they could justify their treachery and thievery... to themselves.
As far as "savage" practices, such as "scalping" ones victims: That was first taught to the Indians by the French Huguenots. Before that, it was more honorable in battle to ride up and humiliate an enemy by touching him with a "Coup" stick. As if to say..Ha!...I got ya! More like playing tag.
The Europeans came in search of a new place, free from religious persecution, but they in turn, did the same thing to the Indians.
The American Indian built his entire way of life around his belief, and everything he did,reflected on that belief. Supposedly said: "The white man came with his God, but there was no love in his heart."
The invaders might well take a lesson from the Native Americans, because ,even today, some still practice a yearly "Giveaway". Such generosity is not often found in todays "civilized" society, especially from people that, sometimes, have very little themselves.

Learn more about this author, James McNulty.
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