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A review by socraticgadfly
We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power by Caleb Gayle
2.5
One whopper misstatement in the first page of Chapter 1. Sorry, Cochise, and no apology for the snark, but Indian Territory was part of the United States in 1861-65. The only Civil War battles fought outside the US were naval battles on the high seas. Or, if you’re basing this claim on the idea that Indian nations aren’t part of the United States? Also wrong.
There’s a bit of patronizing before that: The statement that many people who say “I’ve got some Indian” don’t know the history behind that.
Halfway through, misses the irony that the author of the Curtis Act was then-Congressman Charles Curtis, with his own convoluted ethnic history and self-relationship, though he reportedly largely disliked the final version.
In describing the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, he doesn’t note that a great number of American Indian tribes either reject blood quantum entirely or at a minimum don’t use it as the only definition of tribal citizenship. Also, though the book is just about Creeks, doesn’t note that tribes that are not federally recognized are ineligible for the certificate. This High Country News story offers a lot more insight on blood quantum issues, in <a href="https://www.hcn.org/issues/41.1/blood-quantum">this long piece</a>.
As for Cow Tom’s early history? All sorts of Black news and history sites say he was a slave. Gayle mentions that not at all.
As far as Chief Cox “booting” Freedmen? Racism isn’t necessarily the only explanation. Or even the primary one. Greed may be, given the larger “cleanup” of Creek rolls. See that link above on blood quantum issues. Not wanting to dilute federal dollars (or gaming dollars) is a big issue.
Finally, per other critical reviewers, Gayle does wander a fair degree.
There’s a bit of patronizing before that: The statement that many people who say “I’ve got some Indian” don’t know the history behind that.
Halfway through, misses the irony that the author of the Curtis Act was then-Congressman Charles Curtis, with his own convoluted ethnic history and self-relationship, though he reportedly largely disliked the final version.
In describing the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, he doesn’t note that a great number of American Indian tribes either reject blood quantum entirely or at a minimum don’t use it as the only definition of tribal citizenship. Also, though the book is just about Creeks, doesn’t note that tribes that are not federally recognized are ineligible for the certificate. This High Country News story offers a lot more insight on blood quantum issues, in <a href="https://www.hcn.org/issues/41.1/blood-quantum">this long piece</a>.
As for Cow Tom’s early history? All sorts of Black news and history sites say he was a slave. Gayle mentions that not at all.
As far as Chief Cox “booting” Freedmen? Racism isn’t necessarily the only explanation. Or even the primary one. Greed may be, given the larger “cleanup” of Creek rolls. See that link above on blood quantum issues. Not wanting to dilute federal dollars (or gaming dollars) is a big issue.
Finally, per other critical reviewers, Gayle does wander a fair degree.