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During the interview, I took them to several parts of the world, where black people still suffer enormously, due to Western imperialism and corporate greed. The world where native people of Latin America, Canada, as well as other parts of the planet, are brutally humiliated, robbed of everything, even murdered by millions.
We were complimenting each other. Our knowledge was.
I am glad I came to Minnesota. I am thankful that I could witness history in the making.
I am also delighted that I observed solidarity between the African-American and Native-American people. For centuries, both went through hell, through agony. Now, they were awakening.
Minnesota is where the latest and very important chapter of American history began. But I also went to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City, Massachusetts. I witnessed protests, anger, despair. But there was also hope. Hope, despite tear gas and riot police, lockdowns, despite mismanaged COVID-19 and increasing poverty rates. Something was ending, something unsavory and brutal. Whether this could be considered a new beginning was still too early to tell.
In Minnesota, I chose to see events through the eyes of Native Americans, people who were here "forever", to whom this land used to belong. People who were exterminated by the "new America", by European migrants, in a genocide that claimed roughly 90% of the native lives. These were people who were robbed of their culture and their riches. I am glad; I am proud that I chose this angle.
True peace, true reconciliation can only come after history as well as reality are fully understood, never through denial.
Now, both African Americans and Native Americans are speaking, and the world is listening. It has to listen. At least this is already progress. These two groups are forming a powerful alliance of victims. But also, an alliance of those who are determined to make sure that history never repeats itself.
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