Native Americans.

Cover via Amazon

 For most Americans their history begins about the time of the Pilgrim Fathers. That is why they visit Europe to see ancient monuments like me, and "To do" the history. And yet in their own land, before they arrived, the Native Americans, had lived for many, many centuries with their own cultures and traditions.

 Back in 1979 I visited Washington DC for the first time and when I raised the topic in conversation it was always met with a nil response. Determined to find out more I visited one of the largest book shop's in Washington and asked to be pointed to the shelves where books on the subject might be found. They had nothing.

 Now we all know about the genocide (or the now more familiar phrase "ethnic cleansing") which took place and the taking of the territories of the Indians by the settlers, and as a boy I remember playing cowboys and Indians, where of course, the Indians were the bad guys. But have you ever seen a documentary or read a book on the subject, dear reader? Perhaps for reasons of guilt, but I suspect because of total dis-interest, the subject has disappeared from the mainstream of history.

 I remember being actively involved in supporting the Civil Rights movement in America where the terrible legacy of slavery was finally addressed and rectified. But no such similar mass movement has been formed to address the grievances of the Native American. To his eternal credit Johnny Cash addressed the subject in an album called "Bitter Tears" but it did not sell many copies.

 Is it not time for an American President to address the issue and apologise to the Native Americans for the terrible wrongs that were done to them?