The poem reminded me of how unfair the Native Americans were treated by the United States. When the poem was read, I noticed how Layli included the reasoning behind the italics and the reasons she used certain words. This separated from other poems I have read because most poems rhyme or match with the words, however, this poem was more of a message and a point.
The phrase “everything is in the language that we use”, means the words and sentences we use are crucial. In the poem, the Dakota people never received their part of the deal, which caused many of the people to take actions that they never wanted to take. This included killing other settlers, leaving their homeland, and being poor. Long wants us to understand that it isn’t fair for the people of Dakota to be treated like animals. As Myrick said, “If they are hungry, let them eat grass.” This poem taught me about how the land we call America came to be.
I agree that the U.S settlers were unjustifiably cruel to the Dakota. I’m glad she included the part about Myrick in her poem, as it gives more feeling about the time period between the natives and the settlers. I also agree with your final sentence. This poem truly gave me more insight as to the acquisition of land that would form the nation we live in.
I agree and to add on to what you said, the people from Dakota only did what they had to do to keep the land that was there’s to begin with. I feel like the government at the time pushed the native people of Dakota to fight back so they would have a reason to kick them out completely and they would make it seem as if the natives are the ones starting conflict.