Chief Joseph Journal Entry #2

Every Native American tribe faced some brutality from white settlers at some time. And violence between two peoples is usually out of an instant misunderstanding. Because of the misunderstanding and curiosity of one another, the vow of peace is sometimes unattainable. When the Nez Perce were trageted for their land, a miscommunication caused a tragic battle. The head chief only wanted to negotiate some compromise but couldn't, as it is described, "Chief Joseph hoped to be a man of peace. But he could not stop the bloody clashes with newcomers to his land" (Junior Scholastic, 11/9/2009, Vol. 112 Issue 6). Native American's were subject to the greed of white settlers who wanted land, among other things. It leads to the question of why does greed and necessity over rule peace, compromise, and equality?