We are happy to report that all of the EXPERIENCE: Peru delegates are in Atlanta, Georgia USA, awaiting their connecting flights home. Hope to have many photos and stories to share soon!
Archive for July, 2010
Welcome Back from Peru
Friday, July 23rd, 2010Discussion Question 2 for Trail of Tears
Friday, July 23rd, 2010Question answered by Paige Leitnaker, Director of the School & Classroom Program at PTPI.
2. In the Cherokee communities, marriages began and ended simply, a Cherokee woman had more rights and power than European women and marriages were allowed across racial barriers. Today these are becoming cultural norms around the world. Were the Cherokee ahead of their time or has our society today regressed?
The Cherokee Nation has been recognized as one of the most progressive among American Indian tribes, in more ways than those listed above. As for women’s rights and marriage laws, I believe they were ahead of their time. Like the tale this book tells, the European immigrants came to the U.S. and believed the American Indians were lesser beings who needed to move west so they may take their land. Since then we have realized what a heinous crime this was.
Like this, I believe the rights given to women by the Cherokee were progressive, and though seemingly savage at the time, we have come to adopt many of these cultural norms, learning once again from our past. Not all traditions and beliefs need to remain the same when knowledge shows us otherwise.
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