Terry answers “I have not finished the book, but wonder...”

Alyce asked this question about The Indigo Girl:

I have not finished the book, but wonder if a large segment of people would feel excluded reading a book in which slaves are property and Indians are a danger... I understand it's historical in the sense that slavery is a part of the American cultural fabric, but I feel like people of color might have little interest in this book. Which is sad. Can any people of color comment on this issue if they have read it?

Terry I am a white woman of European descent. I agree that history cannot be changed. Things happened hundreds of years ago. What often shocks me is the lac…moreI am a white woman of European descent. I agree that history cannot be changed. Things happened hundreds of years ago. What often shocks me is the lack of empathy for those living today who descended from the enslaved people. While I don't feel responsible per se for what was done I recognize that it was a crime against humanity. The remnants of attitudes toward African Americans, people of color, and indigenous people are still with us. The remnants of the economic injustice is still with us. We CAN do something about that. A defensive response of " I didn't do it. It's just history and has nothing to do with me." helps maintain the status quo and does not help us heal the harm that has been done.
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