Opinion

Steven Newcomb: Greed motivated taking of indigenous lands

Monday, August 29, 2011

"“America” also results from two words being joined together: Ame (love) and rica (riches, wealth). In the Portuguese language for example, ame is the command form of love, or, in other words “love!” We find rica in such names as Costa Rica (rich coast) and Puerto Rico (rich port). Ame Rica in other words is, “love riches and wealth.” And what is the love of riches and wealth? Greed?

Greed was, of course, the motive that fueled voyages and discovery and conquest (domination) in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and later centuries, which eventually led to the founding of the United States and its quest to take over billions of acres of Indian lands and resources on Turtle Island (North America).

People will no doubt think of the story about the name “America” being derived from Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian cartographer who lived during the time of Columbus. Even if that story is true, it does not detract from the deeper point about the relationship between the concept “Ame rica” and greed.

What is “the American Dream”? It is the dream of riches and wealth. Think of the television program Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Its focus was on people who had managed to achieve the dream of riches, wealth, and fame. A more recent show that also fit the model was Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Thus, the term “Americans” refers to “those who love riches and wealth,” or, “those who dream of riches and wealth.”"

Get the Story:
Steven Newcomb: Ame Rica ‘The Beautiful’ (Steven Newcomb 8/26)