🚨 CONTROVERSIAL CLAIM: Thomas Rousseau on Native Americans and American Identity

🚨 CONTROVERSIAL CLAIM: Thomas Rousseau on Native Americans and American Identity

• Not Truly Native? Rousseau argues that Native Americans are not inherently native to the Americas, suggesting they migrated and settled here like other groups. He claims that modern Americans have an equal claim to being “native” by virtue of conquering and establishing their presence.

• Historical Context: The argument draws on the idea that human migration and conquest have been universal throughout history. From ancient tribes crossing the Bering Strait to European settlers arriving centuries ago, conquest has shaped territorial claims worldwide.

• Provocative Statement: Rousseau’s framing challenges traditional narratives, suggesting that conquest creates legitimacy, whether it happened thousands of years ago or in more recent centuries.

Shred’s Take: History is written by those who take action. Whether it’s Native Americans migrating millennia ago or settlers shaping the modern United States, conquest has always been the driving force of territorial claims. It’s not about who came first—it’s about who built and sustained. The real question: Are we focusing too much on the past and not enough on building the future?