GCCCD Cult of The Covenant and Bloody Footprints Blog

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Introduction:
The readings for this week cover the interactions between the first settlers and the indigenous groups in what later became the United States. As a medical professor, it is important to understand the history and culture of the regions our medical students come from. In this response, I provide answers to the questions posed in this week’s discussion blog.

1. The chapter from the textbook is titled “Cult of the Covenant” because the Puritans believed that they had a covenant with God, which meant that they were chosen by God to achieve salvation. A quote from the chapter that captures this idea is “The Puritans came to see their mission as the establishment of a new Israel, a special people in a covenant relationship with God, chosen to set an example for all the world to follow” (Nash et al., 2014, p. 41). This title highlights the Puritan belief that they were a chosen people with a special relationship with God.

2. The chapter is titled “Bloody Footprints” because it describes the violence that characterized the interactions between the settlers and the indigenous groups. A quote from the chapter that captures this idea is “The history of European-Indian relations in North America is a history of violence” (Nash et al., 2014, p. 51). This title highlights the violence and bloodshed that occurred during the settlement of North America.

3. My previous understanding of the interactions between the first settlers and the indigenous groups was limited and one-sided. The materials covered this week provided a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the dynamics between these groups. It is important to consider this history and its impact on modern society to understand and address the ongoing issues of discrimination and inequality faced by indigenous groups.

4. This week’s materials build off of the materials covered in last week’s Module 2 by expanding on the themes of colonization and the impacts of European exploration and settlement on indigenous groups.

5. William Bradford’s “Of Plymouth Plantation” provides additional insight into the experiences of the Pilgrims and their interactions with the indigenous groups. For example, Bradford notes that during one encounter, “we found two of the savages’ houses, newly made, but not finished; they were made round, like a sugar-loaf, and covered with mats they sew together” (Bradford, 2004, p. 58). This excerpt provides a detailed description of the structures used by the indigenous groups and highlights the differences in cultural practices.

6. According to the article, the true story of Pocahontas is that she was taken captive by the English, coerced into converting to Christianity, and ultimately died in England at a young age. The article points out that the Disney movie version exaggerates and distorts the events of Pocahontas’ life for entertainment purposes.

7. The Pocahontas Perplex refers to the confusion and myth-making surrounding the historical figure of Pocahontas. The impacts of this perplex include the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes about indigenous peoples and the erasure of their experiences and contributions. Green advocates for a more accurate portrayal of Pocahontas that acknowledges the complexity and diversity of indigenous cultures and histories.

References:

Bradford, W. (2004). Of Plymouth Plantation. New York, NY: Dover Publications.

Nash, G. B., Jeffrey, J. O., Howe, J., Frederick, P. J., Davis, A. R., & Winkler, A. M. (2014). The American people: Creating a nation and a society (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.