The Simple Life at Home

Modern day America.

A world body has decided that the lands belonging to the United States of America should be returned to Native Americans. American citizens are neither consulted, nor considered. The world at large has decided, following an outcry over the treatment of Native Americans, that they should be restored to their rightful homelands.

With the help of the world, Native Americans take over the former United States. It is a violent takeover. Where once peace reigned, violence now dominates. Americans are forced from their homes, often leaving behind all that they own. The borders with Canada and Mexico are swamped as they search for a place to live, free from the violence. There they find only squalid camps set up hastily. Basic necessities are lacking.

Decades later, the situation has not improved. While some refugees have managed to establish themselves in new locations, many still long for home. Many still live in poverty and squalor. Many still resent having lost all they worked for their entire lives. Many still consider themselves "Americans," even though that word now lacks any real meaning to the world.

These fight back. They want to reclaim all that is theirs - their land, their property, their very identity. Picture the movie "Red Dawn," where a group of high schoolers become heroes after fighting a resistance against Russian invaders. Do they employ radical, violent means? Yes, but it's seen as heroic in the movie. These people are fighting for America.

Now, imagine that, still decades on, an effort to make peace is made. The Native Americans agree to restore some land to the Americans. The world is happy - peace is on the way and Americans should be grateful to have some of their land back. After all, compromise is the best way to deal with this problem. Hope rises.

The land given to the Americans consists of desert and swampland. There is no fertile ground. It is the worst possible land in the country, but still, they now have a place to call America. It is split into different sections, divided only by the fertile land in between. Oh, did I mention it is surrounded and controlled by the Native Americans? They decide on what gets in and out. They control the movements of the citizens in this new America.

The resistance continues in the face of this insulting offer. The Native Americans crack down hard - stopping the flow of basic human necessities. Americans are not allowed to leave their own territories for work, even though there is no need for work in the small enclave they have been given. Poverty levels are above 80%. Unemployment is rampant.

In response to the continued resistance, which includes attacks on Native American cities, the world body condemns Americans branding them as terrorists. Many believe that they are, at heart, a violent people who will never be satisfied. Most "civilized" countries stand firmly by the Native American government, feeling sympathy that they are on the receiving end of the constant resistance movement.

Finally, the Native Americans have had enough. Following attacks on their country by ineffective and outdated weapons that have left 8 people dead, they fire back. Using ultimately superior weapons, they attack the enclave of America. Hundreds upon hundreds die, including innocent women and children. Many thousands more are injured and left homeless. Food is scarce. Electricity, heat and cooking fuel is non-existent.

And yet the world stands idly by.



Edited to add: My husband would like me to correct myself that all was not happiness and roses in Palestine prior to 1948. They had lived under the rule of many other empires - the Ottoman's, the British, etc. By the very nature of where they live, their land has always been contested and fought over. However, things have escalated to new heights since modern-day secular Israel was established in 1948. The purpose of this post is not to endorse actions taken by Palestinians, but to encourage people to see the other side of the story.