Churchill certainly has much to say in this essay. I can feel his anger when reading. However, I think he went off the subject with the Nuremberg Precedents. However, flowing into the Genocide Convention is where the essay title came from. His last few paragraphs get back on track and he ends with a summing up conclusion that relates to his thesis statement.
I also think Churchill switches from opinionated, formal, preachy to trying to be personal and friendly. He uses a descriptive angered tone, "virulently racist practice", "systematically degraded:", "frankly dubious". Then he switches to very friendly, "Okay, let's communicate", "yukking it up", "Let's get a little bit real here".
I agree with much of what Churchill is trying to tell us. Indians were definitely treated poorly by greedy white people. They have been depicted in movies and books more as savages than as a friendly group. Most of Churchill's examples are from the early 1900's. The US government policies were often unjust. Some government issues today seem to be trying to undo some of that wrong. I am just speaking off the top of my head here from what I've heard living in this Indian surrounded area. Indians have medical benefits exceeding those of white Americans. They have different hunting seasons and gambling rules. They get government 'throw-back' money; enough so many don't feel the need for employment.
Churchill's original issue is use of Indian names as sport mascots. If we are 'honoring' Indians with these usages, why don't we 'honor' other nationalities also, he questions. Maybe it has to do with who were the original residers of this country and who were imported. That is one way I see it. It is a remembering. Churchill tells us about the declining Indian population. If we take away all Indian remembrances, in another 100 years they will be totally forgotten.
I like the comment actor Samuel Jackson replied with when asked about minorities and racism. "As soon as we stop seeing people in color it will end." We are all human people. It's the 21st century. We should have learned by now to get along. Including not taking some things too seriously.
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I read this story also. I never looked at it like he wrote about. Makes a person really think. I agree with you about how much has changed sence then, and how much things have improved for them. I also agree with what Samuel Jackson said also. "As soon as we stop seeing people in color it will end." He said it perfectly. Racism is still a huge thing in our world.
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