Whites as Villains

Patterson speaks of an unprovoked attack on the white Minnesota settlers by the Lakota people in 1862. He does not speak of the unprovoked attacks by U.S. cavalry units upon peaceful Native American villages, such as the 1868 attack at the Washita River in Oklahoma by Gen. Custer and the 7th Cavalry in which several hundred women and children were killed (the majority of the warriors were off hunting).

Patterson may be proud of what his ancestors did to “civilize” North America, but that doesn’t mean that it was right. My own ancestors were just as guilty (check the history of the 9th and 10th colored regiments).

LESHAN JONES

Compton