Glenn Reynolds rightly notes that today is the Monday Version of Columbus Day (the actual day being October 12). In honor of this Holiday for the European Oppressors, I often wonder how it is that the despoliation of the North American continent by the evil Conquistadors was carried out by angry Caucasians, but now that everyone south of the Rio Grande speaks Spanish (and Portugeuese--don't want to forget the boys from Brazil), they are now considered brown.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at October 10, 2005 09:58 AMI am conflicted on this holiday. Actually I am at work so it isn't much of a holiday. Do I celebrate the arrival of my German ancestors in 1749 or my Cherokee ancestors around 8000 BC, if I have my National Geographic history straight.
Of course, the dern Irish showed up in the 19th Century so I suppose I could be upset at them as the late comers.
I guess it depends on how much oppressing you intend to do.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 10, 2005 10:48 AMLarry, given that the Germans are known as the habitually punctual, should I assume that only a small portion of you is ever on time for anything? Your ancestors clearly showed up REALLY early or REALLY late.
Oh, And Happy White European Male Patriarchal Gendered Oppressors Day to everyone.
Posted by: skinnydan at October 10, 2005 11:02 AMSkinny Dan,
The German side of my family is a bit crazy but they did get on the boat early. From the date they departed Bavaria, I assume they were caught in one of the fairly regular religious conflicts.
My kids are the real oppressors because on their Mom's side, they have ancestors who emigated in the 17th Century.
My Pastor has the best line when someone accuses him of being a white male oppressor. "Until 1934, my family didn't own a mule".
Posted by: Larry Anderson at October 10, 2005 11:18 AMYes, but AFTER 1934, well, we all know about THAT, DON'T WE! Don't we? Maybe not.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 10, 2005 11:34 AMLarry—will this get you or just Ward Churchill? Cherokees begin membership audit to cull non-Indians
Can you prove the Cherokee heritage sufficiently to get the gambling money? That might ease the retirement plan.
Jim,
We don't even try to prove anything on the Cherokee thing. What I understand is the Dawes Roll is the controlling document and my ancestors having evaded the US Army in the 1830s weren't about to put their names on any government list only 70 years later.
My Great-Great Grandfather Anderson had to pay an "inter-marriage" bond of $250 to marry my G-G Grandma. That's the only "official" thing we have. My Dad and one of his Sisters were quite brown though.
Posted by: Larry Anderson at October 10, 2005 12:24 PMInteresting – I didn’t know about the intermarriage fee. After I read in the article that the payout last year was only $6,000 I knew it wouldn’t help. You are planning on millions right?
Posted by: jim at October 10, 2005 12:35 PMI am planning on winning at least $200 million in the Powerball. I laugh in the face of $6000.
Posted by: Larry Anderson at October 10, 2005 01:10 PMWell, if that $6,000 gets its feelings hurt, I would like to remind it that I can make it feel all warm and cozy and won't laugh at it at all.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 10, 2005 01:13 PM