Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Notes on Notes: Vespucci on Native Americans

I am writing an essay for a world history class, using primary sources like Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci's diaries to substantiate my claims. I took some notes on Vespucci's diary of first encounters with Native American, and found them to be interesting and entertaining. Don't mind the lack of accurate punctuation and unpolished ideas... they're notes!! Do note the utter lack of respect and disgust in Vespucci's writings (through my notes...)

"Naked men and women- no different than the way were born, beautiful proportions, red skin like lion, but would be white if dressed like Europeans, no hair except on head but very rough and disheveled , look like Tartars, agile like animals- run and swim fast and a lot of endurance, well made weapons but weak with no iron- use animal teeth instead, sure shots, cruel wars, no leader, no order in war, no dominion expanding, war to avenge death of ancestors, live in freedom- obey no one, no justice, never in-fighting, simple soft talk, but cunning, barbarous lifestyle, don’t eat at regular times; eat off ground, cleanly habits, urinate openly-shameful, no matrimony, fuck e/o like crazy man and woman have many children, cause abortion if angry poor infants, recover quickly from birth, cannibalistic all the time, barbarous ceremonies to welcome them [Europeans]- songs dance and food, [Europeans] offered wives, unable to keep from fucking them, war like, Europeans try to make friends, but unable to- animals, [should be] made slaves, afraid of guns, [Europeans ]killed many, others refugee, [Europeans] burned village, wounded many, no European was killed God is great."

-Tyler's notes that will be used to make one kick-ass paper!