The Cherokee tribe adapted to stave off deportation. In the end, it was a battle they were never going to win. Part I of a six-article series on Cherokee deportation from Georgia.
During my years of teaching, I took a dozen classes to New Echota and heard the history you explained in this blog. In spite of having to listen with one ear to the video and the other to disturbances from my class (who, like you at that age were eager to get through this “boring” part and into the great outdoors), I do remember being affected by the story and having a sense of the injustices done here. The difference now is that I can look & listen with a different heart that is open to different perspectives and not willing to claim “manifest destiny” as a justification for what was done to the Cherokee people, or worse, just not really care. These times and young people like you, Sam, can help us all become people who have a genuine desire for a world where all people matter and no single group can have exclusive control.
Thank you for sharing your reflections, Mrs. Higgins. When I was writing this, I couldn't remember if it was your class or another grade level. It's interesting to hear your perspective as the teacher who brought classes (and perhaps me!) to New Echota. While your mindset making the visits wasn't what it sounds like it would be if you were to do so now, the fact that you took the field trip with that many classes speaks to your desire to expose us to more than only the romanticized version of our state's history. And, for that, I'm grateful! Thank you again for reading along and sharing your thoughts here.
Thanks, Sam for reminding us of this sad period in our history. Greed that causes people and governments to be so unjust toward their fellow citizens is such a despicable evil.
Man, thanks for writing this. I just got around to reading it. Good stuff.
Thank you, Jason.
During my years of teaching, I took a dozen classes to New Echota and heard the history you explained in this blog. In spite of having to listen with one ear to the video and the other to disturbances from my class (who, like you at that age were eager to get through this “boring” part and into the great outdoors), I do remember being affected by the story and having a sense of the injustices done here. The difference now is that I can look & listen with a different heart that is open to different perspectives and not willing to claim “manifest destiny” as a justification for what was done to the Cherokee people, or worse, just not really care. These times and young people like you, Sam, can help us all become people who have a genuine desire for a world where all people matter and no single group can have exclusive control.
Thank you for sharing your reflections, Mrs. Higgins. When I was writing this, I couldn't remember if it was your class or another grade level. It's interesting to hear your perspective as the teacher who brought classes (and perhaps me!) to New Echota. While your mindset making the visits wasn't what it sounds like it would be if you were to do so now, the fact that you took the field trip with that many classes speaks to your desire to expose us to more than only the romanticized version of our state's history. And, for that, I'm grateful! Thank you again for reading along and sharing your thoughts here.
Thanks, Sam for reminding us of this sad period in our history. Greed that causes people and governments to be so unjust toward their fellow citizens is such a despicable evil.