Imagine, if you will, a scenario painted with the brushstrokes of profound loss and enduring injustice. Consider a hypothetical situation, one that forces you to confront the very core of your being, your identity, and your connection to the world around you. "What Would You Do?" if everything you hold dear was systematically stripped away, leaving you adrift in a sea of unfamiliarity and pain? This is the unsettling question posed by Martha Moongazer Beard in her poignant poem, a work that resonates with the historical trauma inflicted upon Native American populations.
The poem, dated December 31st, 2004, serves as a powerful indictment of the policies and actions that led to the displacement, cultural erasure, and suffering of indigenous peoples. It is not merely a lament; it is a challenge, a call to empathy, and a stark reminder of the enduring consequences of historical injustices. Let’s dissect the verses to understand the depth of the questions posed.
A Cascade of Loss: The Initial Assault
The poem opens with a series of devastating "What Would You Do?" scenarios. The first lines paint a vivid picture of forced dispossession:
What would you do if I took from you
Your home, your family and your identity, too?
This isn’t a simple relocation or a temporary setback. It is the complete and utter annihilation of one’s foundation. Home, the physical and emotional center of life, is seized. Family, the bedrock of community and belonging, is torn apart. Identity, the very essence of self, is eradicated. This triple blow represents a complete dismantling of the individual’s existence. It speaks to the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands, the breaking up of families through boarding schools, and the suppression of their cultural practices.
The assault continues with an attack on spiritual and linguistic heritage:
If I changed your religion and the language you spoke,
Left you hungry, suffering and broke.
Religion and language are cornerstones of culture. To replace a people’s spiritual beliefs with a foreign ideology is to undermine their understanding of the world and their place within it. Similarly, the suppression of language is a form of cultural silencing, cutting off access to ancestral knowledge, traditions, and ways of thinking. The added burden of hunger, suffering, and poverty underscores the physical hardships endured by Native Americans as a result of displacement and discriminatory policies. It’s a portrait of systematic deprivation, designed to break the spirit and force assimilation.
The Weight of Shame and the Trail of Tears
The poem then delves into the dehumanizing aspects of the historical treatment of Native Americans:
IF I LOOKED AT YOUR FAMILY WITH EYES OF SHAME,
SHUNNED YOUR KINDNESS AND CHANGED YOUR NAME,
The idea of looking at a family with "eyes of shame" speaks to the pervasive racism and prejudice that fueled the policies of forced assimilation. It suggests a deliberate attempt to instill feelings of inferiority and self-loathing in Native American people. Shunning their kindness further highlights the rejection of their culture and values. Changing names was a common practice in boarding schools, designed to sever ties to their heritage and erase their individual identities.
The following lines evoke the horrors of forced relocation, most notably the Trail of Tears:
IF I MADE YOU WALK A THOUSAND MILES,
STARVING AND COLD AND IGNORED YOUR TRIALS,
The "thousand miles" is a potent symbol of the arduous and deadly journeys undertaken by various Native American tribes when forcibly removed from their lands. The Cherokee Nation’s Trail of Tears, in particular, stands as a testament to the cruelty and inhumanity of these policies. Starvation, exposure, and the utter disregard for their suffering are chilling reminders of the human cost of westward expansion.
The Poison of Lies and the Loss of Belonging
The poem continues to explore the psychological and emotional toll of cultural destruction:
IF I SENT YOU AWAY TO EAT NOTHING BUT LIES,
COULD YOU STILL LOOK AT ME WITH LOVE IN YOUR EYES?
The "lies" likely refer to the distorted narratives and propaganda used to justify the mistreatment of Native Americans. These lies perpetuated stereotypes, demonized their culture, and obscured the truth about the history of colonization. The question of whether one could still offer love in the face of such betrayal is a profound challenge to the reader’s capacity for forgiveness and compassion. It forces us to consider the limits of human endurance and the resilience of the human spirit.
The final verses drive home the core message of the poem:
IF I TOLD YOU ALL YOU BELIEVE IS WRONG,
AND SAID IN YOUR HOME LAND YOU NO LONGER BELONG,
WHAT WOULD YOU DO AND HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?,
DO YOU THINK WITH TIME PASSING ALL PAIN WOULD HEAL?
These lines encapsulate the ultimate act of cultural imperialism: the denial of one’s beliefs and the erasure of their connection to their ancestral homeland. To be told that everything you hold sacred is wrong and that you no longer belong where you have always belonged is a devastating blow to the soul. The question of whether time can heal all wounds is left unanswered, prompting reflection on the lasting impact of historical trauma.
A Plea for Remembrance: The Enduring Tear
The poem concludes with a powerful call to remembrance and empathy:
SO NEXT TIME YOU SEE A TEAR FALL FROM A RED MANS EYE,
REMEMBER THIS IS ONE SAD REASON WHY..
The "tear fall[ing] from a red man’s eye" is a symbol of the enduring pain and suffering of Native Americans. It is a reminder that the wounds of the past continue to affect present generations. The poem implores the reader to remember the historical injustices and to understand the reasons behind the sadness and grief that may be visible in the faces of Native American people.
The Enduring Relevance of "What Would You Do?"
Martha Moongazer Beard’s "What Would You Do?" is more than just a poem; it is a historical document, a social commentary, and a plea for understanding. It uses the power of hypothetical questions to force readers to confront the realities of cultural destruction and the enduring impact of historical trauma. The poem’s effectiveness lies in its ability to evoke empathy and to challenge readers to consider their own roles in perpetuating or dismantling systems of injustice. The questions posed in "What Would You Do?" continue to resonate today, reminding us of the importance of remembering the past, honoring the resilience of indigenous peoples, and working towards a more just and equitable future. The poem is a reminder that history is not just a collection of dates and events; it is a living force that shapes the present and influences the future.
The poem "What Would You Do?" is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate difficult truths and to inspire action. Its message remains as relevant today as it was in 2004.