week 2 essay 2

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Oct 30, 2023

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Pocahontas The life and legacy of Pocahontas is a subject of persistent fascination and debate, particularly when comparing European historical accounts with the archives of the Mattaponi tribe, to which Pocahontas belonged. The European narrative is often romanticized, presenting Pocahontas as the Native American princess who saved John Smith from execution and later married John Rolfe. After her marriage, she adopted the name Rebecca Rolfe and became a celebrated figure in England for her exotic appeal and contributions to the tobacco industry. Sadly, she passed away at the young age of 22 during her voyage back to America. The Mattaponi tribe's account of Pocahontas's life starkly contrasts with the more romanticized European version that has found its way into mainstream history. According to the Mattaponi, Pocahontas was already married to a tribal man named Kacoum, with whom she had a child. She was captured and held for ransom by Captain Samuel Argall, where she faced horrendous conditions including rape. Unlike the European account, the Mattaponi suggests that Pocahontas may have been murdered on her return journey to America, rather than dying from illness. The debate between historians of European descent and Native American scholars offers two fundamentally different lenses through which to view history. Historians of European descent often rely on written documents, which are primarily authored from a Eurocentric perspective. This could lead to a one-sided narrative that erases or marginalizes indigenous voices. Native American historians, however, emphasize oral histories and tribal archives like those of the Mattaponi. They advocate for a multifaceted historical perspective that recognizes the challenges and injustices encountered by native communities. I find the Mattaponi account to be compelling and worthy of serious consideration for several reasons. First, it's an indigenous perspective that has been largely overlooked in mainstream accounts, and this omission is an issue of both historical accuracy and social justice. Second, the darker aspects of

the Mattaponi story, such as kidnapping, rape, and possible murder, align more closely with the harsh realities many indigenous peoples faced during European colonization. Navigating the authenticity of oral traditions can be complex, particularly when they diverge from established written records. However, when examining the life of Pocahontas, as well as the broader history of Native Americans, it becomes crucial to adopt a comprehensive viewpoint that integrates sidelined or neglected voices. Therefore, I agree with incorporating the Mattaponi version into the broader narrative to achieve a more nuanced and equitable understanding of Pocahontas's life. References Lehigh University. (n.d.). Mattaponi account of Pocahontas. Retrieved from https://history-on- trial.lib.lehigh.edu/trial/pocahontas/mattaponi.php Indian Country Today. (n.d.). True story of Pocahontas: Historical myths versus sad reality. Retrieved from https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/true-story-pocahontas-historical-myths-versus- sad-reality?fbclid=IwAR0X8XFwwcaaLhrnYjtRfftSBn9iuSW5_UOko4-F3ZB9L1gyAp-Sq3zh9Zw Smithsonian Documentary. (n.d.). Pocahontas: Beyond the Myth. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_zT6enTzA YouTube. (n.d.). Pocahontas: The Myth and Mystery of an Icon. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChZJM69fr3k

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