<<our notions of race exist as snapshots of who was controlling what in the 19th century. >>
Not our notions of race, but our notions of ethnicity/statehood. And not really "our" (i.e., American) notions either. America IS a melting pot, in that most immigrants (with the notable exception of the blacks) abandoned the "home country" of their own accord.
It's a different story, if you stayed in the home country, which was then subsequently devoured by some hungry imperialist, who may or may not have signed treaties with you in the process, only to violate them if he did.
In the 19th century, please note, expansionist nations (including the US) didn't give a hoot or a holler about "territorial integrity": they were too busy devouring other folks' territory. Now that the territory is "theirs," territorial integrity" has become the new mantra ("we stole it fair and square," "you can't cry over spilt milk," etc. etc.).
I say, have a little more understAnding of indigenous peoples, many of whom may indeed be doomed to disappear forever as unique ethnic groups. (Forced assimilation is not the same thing as deliberate emigration/immigration.) That much less variety in the world, one more thing lost... |
