This 4th of July, it's high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: https://t.co/45smaBmORH pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) July 4, 2023
As Erick Erickson notes, there's seems to be a lot of revisionist history with these "stolen land" chanting points.
Not to be outdone, the inimitable Walter Hudson has had his fill of this virtual signaling.
American land is not stolen.
There are quite a few pathetic blithering killjoys out today trying to vandalize the Fourth of July and shame you for any patriotism you express as an American.
It's nothing new. Most of the time we just sigh, roll our eyes, and ignore them. But I for one am sick of granting them that grace. Their claim is a damn dirty lie with malevolent implications. It needs to be pushed back against, hard.
The land I stand on is mine. I have the receipts. My name is on the mortgage and I pay the property taxes. Same as any property owner. Calling our land "stolen," implies a right to reclaim it. That's an implied threat.
Sometimes the threat is carried out through public policy, like this year's successful effort by Minnesota Democrats to hobble charitable gambling for communities statewide in order to boost tribal casino revenue.
But such sacrifices will never lift the threat. It will never be enough. There's no statute of limitations on your personal debt to people you may have never met. You "stole" their land, after all. And we're going to make you acknowledge the sin of your father until the time comes to pass the shame to your sons.
Well, my answer is no. It's a simple yet powerful word.
No.
This isn't your land. It's mine.
Now what?
What are you gonna do? Call me names? What additional names are you going to call me for taking this stance that you weren't already calling me?
You know what you're not gonna do? Come get "your" land back. That's because it's not yours and you know it. You know it. I know it. Even the simping white liberals who feign gasps and vapors on your behalf know it. We know because not a single one of them - not one - has given you *their* house. Not a single hand-wringing leftist "ally" has taken their share of your "stolen land" and given it back. Strangely, not a single Democrat has even once gifted their homestead to a tribe and then moved to another continent. That's what you would do if you actually believed that the land that you're standing on is stolen.
So, no. I'm not granting you any land acknowledgement. Instead, why don't you acknowledge the degree to which you live better than literal kings from ages past? Why don't you take a moment to acknowledge the common grace provided by the very people you demonize. Pick up a flag and wave it. Remove your hat and cover your heart. Recite the Pledge and mean it. Then enjoy the innumerable blessings you benefit from as an American, and try to be just a tiny bit grateful.
Happy Fourth of July.
This is similar to the left's obsession with "climate change." They'll insist the solution is for Americans to drastically reduce their carbon footprint by driving electric cars, living in a smaller home, cutting back on meat consumption, etc. However, very few of the loudest elite voices are willing to lead the way by living in a smaller home or not fly in private jets across the world. And when it comes to the "stolen land" shrieks, no one prominent has stepped forward to relinquish what they claim isn't rightfully theirs.
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Amazing the power of "you first" in these sorts of arguments.
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