The document Land as Life (LAL) by Mishuana Goeman, goes into detail on the contrast of the meaning of land between Native people and white Europeans. Goeman reveals the white Europeans assault on a Native American’s personal relationship with land as a place. Decolonization is not a metaphor by Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang seeks to inform readers on the realities of what decolonization is. They argue that the phrase is tossed around without considering the realities faced by displaced cultures. Both documents go into depth on the effects of white colonials on native people, more specifically having to do with the connection with land. Goeman goes into what land means for native inhabitants. As opposed to the white view of land, a connection with land is established within a culture. Land holds more value in this sense as it contains important history for the Natives. To have that minimized to a resource of monetary value is an example of colonization. Tuck and Yang goes into depth in the aftermath of colonization. Once an evil is recognized colonials seek forgiveness, wanting to make things right through what is called “decolonization.” Both documents share this idea of an attack on Native culture and how it leads to the social injustices we see today. These documents were eye-opening. I was previously taught in school about the processes of decolonization. At the time, I thought that it was a good thing. However, getting to hear from both authors made me realize how difficult it is to make things right. The effects of these injustices had already been felt, and current efforts to make things right could be seen as an attempt to erase history. It’s important to remember that there is no simple solution to this, if any. It must be done with the intention of helping a fellow person out, not trying to right a wrong. Instances similar to this can be seen today with the recent immigration raids. It makes me wonder if later down the line when the effects of mass deportations are felt, will Americans seek to reverse the wrongs done? These texts remind us that true justice requires more than just symbolic gestures. It demands a deep commitment to confronting and addressing systemic harm.
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