What is an American

My American Lit teacher is making us read stories to make us think about “What is an American”.   My favorite story is the one I read tonight called “This Sacred Soil” by Seattle.  It talks about North America from a true native’s point of view.  Seattle shows no anger towards the white people even if they are killing off his people.  The text starts off with the Europeans coming over to America and Seattle is saying that their God loves them and protects them but rejects his red children, if they even are His children.  It goes on to explain the white man’s God had to write the rules in stone so that the people would not need to forget while for Seattle and his people religion is passed down from one generation to the other.  Also the natives honor their roots, their ancestors while the newcomers have left with almost no regret.  The European people do not believe in family and are ignorant of their surroundings.  They must learn how to respect what got them to where they are.  The whites may have many more people that Seattle and his tribe but God cannot protect them from the cycle; there will be a downfall and from that his people will take back the land that they love and ancient people will help for there is no death.