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[HWK]SirWilliam · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 286

Hi

While American Indians are flavour of the month, here is an interesting read:

Radical enthusiast Eduardo Galeano has written several piercing literary works. One of his more exciting pieces is Faces and Masks, which embraces the history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In this work, Galeano places the reader in numerous settings. One of these is set in a Saint Louis Fair in 1899; in which Galeano tells a story of a Indian named Geronimo, being paraded as a side show at the fair. What historical context does Geronimo bring to this story of humiliation? Why does Galeano include Geronimo in his literary work of art? The answers lie in the indian himself.

Geronimo was born around 1829 in southern Arizona, when it was still a territory of Mexico. He belonged to the Chiricahua Apache tribe. For generations it was quite a massive tribe, until the Americans began invading the west in an attempt to expand their domain. Geronimo's mother, wife and children were killed in 1858 by a group of Mexican soldiers while Geronimo was in town trading. From that point on, he despised all Mexicans, and killed them whenever the opportunity arose. He was held in very high respect, almost to the point that one might mistake him for an Apache chief. Geronimo was not a chief, but rather a medicine man, as well as a great leader of the Chiricahua Apaches. Tribe chiefs would come to him for advice on matters of importance. Geronimo claimed to have a "power" that he received one day which protected him from bullets. This belief definitely had a profound effect on his fighting style, known for running towards people with guns for the sole purpose of killing them with his knife (Roberts, 46-49).

After Americans began their crusade against the Apaches and other Indians, Geronimo and his brother-in-law, Juh, a Chiracahua chief, began raiding US and Mexican forts, stealing ammunition and food as well as killing anyone they encountered. When the US government decided on using reservations to keep the Indians contained, Geronimo fled from his homeland along with approximately 700 other Chiricahua Apaches. He later surrendered in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, where he was ambushed by US soldiers. However, he was later set free, but was marked with a tag that would help US soldiers to keep track of the Indians. In the 1870's, Geronimo and his followers fled from the reservation and sought refuge in the Sierra Madre, much like many of the Cuban revolutionaries. In 1883 US General Cook began a search for Geronimo and his followers. He rounded up some 327 men, many of whom were Indians who could track an Apache through the region. I wasn't until after his plan to overpower the search party failed, that Geronimo once again surrendered and settled at the White Mountain Reservation.

Things went relatively well for Geronimo until 1885, when the US government banned the Apaches from getting drunk and beating their wives. Once again, Geronimo fled, only taking 145 followers with him this time, as the Apache population was declining rapidly. They broke up into smaller groups as they traveled, in order to make their capture more difficult. Geronimo eventually grew weary of life on the run, so he again surrendered to General Cook, and fled immediately after hearing a rumor concerning plans for his hanging. This time he only took 30 Apache with him, but the flight was very short lived. He made his final surrender on September 4, 1886, this time to General Miles. Miles lied to Geronimo, promising him that he would be reunited with his family in a few days, and that the US would grant him a pardon for his actions. He also pledged that his people would be returned to a reservation in his homeland. Instead, the Chiricahua Apaches were punished severely, spending almost thirty years as prisoners of war.

Beginning around 1898, Geronimo, as a prisoner of war, was forced to take part in state fairs. It is during this humiliating time that Galeano chooses to portray him. One of the fairs that Geronimo participated in was the Saint Louis Fair, which had numerous public events and exhibitions. Many professionals displayed their talents in front of a wide audience, among them were magicians and fire eaters. That year, the fair had a Native American civilization presentation, primarily financed by the United States Department of War and the Department of Interior(Debo, 409). The presentation included a "wild west" exhibition in which the Native Americans played a very important part. In the exhibit, the promoters of the fair had picked a primary role for Geronimo, which he agreed to portray with a payment of a dollar a day. The exhibition was scheduled for May 10, 1905; and an the day before the performance, Geronimo turned down the offer, and the exhibition continued without him. This was because the United States government had promised him two things: security and publicity, none of which were ever accomplished (Debo, 409-410).

The Saint Louis Fair wasn't the only public exhibition that Geronimo participated in. Another one was the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition at Omaha, during the months of September and October, in 1898. During this exhibition a remarkable event happened, a rhetorical confrontation between Geronimo and his archrival General Mills. In the confrontation, Geronimo calls General Mills a liar, because Mills had lured Geronimo into surrender with lies. Mills admits he lied. Geronimo takes advantage of the situation and appeals to him for a return to his homeland, Arizona. When Geronimo inquired as to why he was banned from his homeland, he was told the following:

A very beautiful thought Geronimo. Quite poetic. But the men and women who live in Arizona, they do not miss you.... The acorns and pi–on nuts, the quail and the wild turkey, the giant cactus and the palo verde trees --- they will have to get along as best they can --- without you. (69)
General Mills also argued against the plea by suggesting that Arizona is more peaceful at night due to the travel ban on Geronimo. The majority of the audience sided with Mills and applauded his response.

A couple of days later, a series of events triggered panic. Geronimo and his friend were wandering outdoors on Sunday, but they were supposed to return before darkness. Geronimo was lost and didn't return. This caused worry around the town of Omaha, and the officer having authority over Indian matters was notified. Finally, the officer discovered Geronimo twenty miles outside of Omaha. When the officer and Geronimo returned, the town was filled with fear. This panic was due to stereotypical images about the Indians. They were viewed as uncivilized and violent as represented on the following headline: "GERONIMO AND NACHEE ESCAPE / APACHE MURDERERS THOUGHT TO BE ON THEIR WAY TO ARIZONA" (Debo, 406-407).

With a new attitude, Geronimo was able to capitalize on his celebrity status which he gained when he was an outlaw. He sold autographed photos to people who asked for them. Instantly, he earned money. (Debo, 417) After this first success, he basically traveled and capitalized himself on his heroic status. Even his visit to Washington D.C. was successful. People had given him a parade, and he stood near the president of the United States in front of the White House. (Debo, 419)

Even with new heroic status and fame, he couldn't achieve his goal of going back to Arizona, his homeland. In 1905, a short time before he died, Geronimo appealed to President Roosevelt to be allowed to return to his homeland, so that he could die there and be buried along with his ancestors. Of course, the President denied the request, citing that the Americans living in Arizona still had much "antagonism towards the Apache" (70). Geronimo ultimately regretted his final surrender (Debo, 420-421).

During the winter of 1905, Geronimo fell off of his horse and remained in a ditch until the next day. Seeing as how he was eighty-five years old, it is not the least bit surprising that he caught pneumonia and died a few days later.

Through these series of events, one can see how Galeano could appreciate such a man. It is evident that Geronimo possessed many of the characteristics that Galeano admired in great leaders. Geronimo's popularity for his guerrilla raids against Mexican and US troops, his non-conformist style, and brutal war tactics gained Galeano's respect (Voget, 1). These Apache tribes were the last of the rebels, the non-conformists, the beasts that would not be tamed. Here was a man that was on the same wave length as Galeano. They both wanted revolution and their freedom returned. Galeano and Geronimo also possessed a common enemy: the United States. Geronimo's life was one of revolution and cause. He was fighting for freedom and independence from the US. Galeano also desires independence from the US for his "America." Further, Geronimo also used guerrilla tactics to fight his oppressors. Guerrilla warfare was the main style of fighting used by revolutionaries that Galeano supported. Even the ideas of returning to the mountains for better isolation and protection is seen to be utilized by Castro, who has influenced Galeano.

Eduardo Galeano in his Faces and Masks, was honoring a great warrior who fought to the very end. By showing his readers the humiliation that Geronimo faced, he spawned a greater urge to revolt. Geronimo was a great example of an early revolutionary.

Yours SW
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Sharpe · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:30 pm Post subject:

"Eduardo Galeano in his Faces and Masks, was honoring a great warrior who fought to the very end. By showing his readers the humiliation that Geronimo faced, he spawned a greater urge to revolt. Geronimo was a great example of an early revolutionary. "

Of course i found this to be a total load of BS u know.Im srry but imo he shold have been shot the 1st time we caught him. He was no revelotionary, just a disturber of the peace. How many times did he surrender then go back on his word? At least 3 times, this was a rebel who should have been hung upon capture.

SW do you think this guy was a hero? If you do do you think Wolf Tone was a hero?
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Over the hills an over the main, Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain, King George commands an we obey, Over the hills and faraway!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HWK]SittingBull · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject:

yes he was a hero!
You know who i (and most of the world) thinks should be shot????? I bet you can guess Mad

Geronimo was a freedom fighter, and you could (SHOULD actually) show some more respect for people who were fully commited to their (right) cause, thank you SW
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A Flemish gentleman with a sword is worth a warlord!

AVV-VVK

[HWK]SirWilliam · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 286

Hi Sharpe

Well what has Geronimo done, that the Irish haven't done, to anybody that has thretened their land, their people and their culture.

Apache is an indian word and translates as fighting man and Geronimo was a fighting man, to the last.

Geronimo was a higly respected leader and probably still is a hero to his people, just as some IRA terrorists and activists are to the Irish.

The IRA fought for Southern Ireland and the Irish people, just as Geronimo fought for Arizona and the Apache, because he believed that what he was doing, was the right and honourable thing to do.

So if you were of Apache origin and not Irish, then you would have a different view of Geronimo.

I find the Native American culture and history very interesting and enjoy reading about it and so do many other people.

SHARPE WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM????

Yours SW
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Sharpe · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

ok tell me this SW and all the rest of you english fellows do you think the IRA was a bunch of great an noble freedom fighters? Do you think Wolfe Tone was a righteous man who stood up to Englands tyranny an crual rule of ireland? If you do im shocked

For the most part I think the english view the IRA as terrorists and rebels.
Well guess what, thats how the americans felt about the Indians (and many still do) Many americans feel towards geronimo the same way the english feel towards Wolfe Tone, they feel that they were the enemy and that they were better off dead.

Im trying to put this into perspective SW and to get you off your morale high horse.

plz move this thread to the P & R forum it belongs there i think (or it will very soon)
_________________

Over the hills an over the main, Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain, King George commands an we obey, Over the hills and faraway!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:42 pm Post subject:

I don't see any political or religious connection to the matter-at-hand !! Rolling Eyes

The only point being made was "the kind of man " Geronimo was being portrayed as.........nothing politically motivated was mentioned against the Americans / westerners / settlers who at the time virtually destroyed the rightful landowners ( Indians ) for their own pure greed!!

Anyone who is forced-upon by others in such a manner, have the soul right to defend themselves, their families and their lands.

Yes the Indians where savages by all rights, just like we all where at one time or another before we became slightly more civilised over the centuries.

But even as "supposedly" civilised peoples, the westerners could be just as savage in their quest for victory ( greed ) as could be the Indians..........and the Westerners where the aggressors, not the Indians

As for the IRA that most certainly is politically & religiously motivated and i'm telling you right now I for one shall not be sucked into discussing the ins and outs and nor shall anyone discuss it here on the open forum.

If you do then I shall call for an immediate ban on any person who does so. ( if you read this Theo just agree or disagree whether you would implement such a ban .....cheers. )
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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]SirWilliam · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 286

Nice Post Axle

I'm not sure why more and more posts have to Deteriorate into a agressive political argument and be shifted to the PR forum, is this all that hawks know how to do now, is to argue and squabble like big kids in the PR forum about events that took place hundreds of years ago. Gees what's this group coming to.

I don't have access to the PR forum now anyway.

Yours SW
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[HWK]axlethehawk · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:39 pm Post subject:

I never have nor ever shall request access, cause I prefer to leave all the bickering to the politicians.

Just think without politicians and religion we probably never had any wars !! Rolling Eyes

( no one to declare wars and nothing to fight over ! Laughing

)
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[hwk] axlethehawk ( DIPLOMATIC LIAISSON )

[HWK]SirWilliam · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 286

Hi Axle

Wars were fought before there were any politicians, wars were fought between Kings.

Anyway I'm going to do Red Cloud tomorrow because he was another interesting character and also Crazy Horse and then I'm going to top it all with the all time great Oliver Cromwell. Because this is the history section and I do like to read and talk about history.

Yours SW
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[HWK]Theosis · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:21 pm Post subject:

This is the history section, not the P & R section.

Soon I shall be forced to start deleting posts that I find political in nature from non P & R sections.

Sharpe please mate, you can debate the points of histor, but do not in this section mention the IRA. I know you do not support their actions and had mentioned them as a comparison to what you deem as a non-hero type of organisation. But, they like other terrorist groups should be mentioned only in the P & R forum.

Bull, have you lost your mind? I made it clear that political things do not belong anywhere else but in the political forum. Mentioning the shooting of the one you hint at is likely considered a criminal act.

The Hawks do not ever condone such things mate. PLEASE! do not do that again in any part of our forum. Exclamation

_________________
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. I shall do something, even if I have to do it myself.

El Shaddai lives!

[HWK]SittingBull · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:48 am Post subject:

I wasn t saying that should be done Theo, I was just trying to make clear to sharpe that those things shouldn t be said lol or other people might say those things too lol
yes SW do war chief crazy horse, that would be very interesting
_________________

A Flemish gentleman with a sword is worth a warlord!

AVV-VVK

Sharpe · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 2:22 am Post subject:

[HWK]Theosis · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 3:13 am Post subject:

Sharpe, Geronimo and his deeds whether good or bad happened long ago. No one is alive from those days to feel the pain from the terror then.

The IRA on the other hand has people still feeling their pain.

I am not stating 1 is better or worse than the other but with the current events of the IRA and the hard feelings still between our British Hawks and the IRA (and myself also) please understand that any IRA mentioning should go in the P & R forum only.

Don't take offense, please try and understand.
_________________
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. I shall do something, even if I have to do it myself.

El Shaddai lives!

Sharpe · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 3:18 am Post subject:

ok I understand an i will not talk about the IRA, but because im doing this I would like other Hwks to plz not post about these indian "heros" these such topics offend me. So plz refrain from starting any more of these topics praiseing those who fought an killed my people.
_________________

Over the hills an over the main, Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain, King George commands an we obey, Over the hills and faraway!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sharpe · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2004 3:57 am Post subject:

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