When the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower and set foot upon the shores of Turtle Island, they first thanked God, and then raided the gravesites and food caches of the Indigenous population. One might expect this unseemly arrival to draw the ire of the local inhabitants, but the thieves were not met with harsh words and violence. Instead, the newcomers were greeted in their own language and offered sanctuary in a new land. This talk will appraise the social and political dynamics that made this welcome possible. Specifically, it will explore how the ascendancy of the Narragansett empire and the advent of settler-colonialism reshaped the diplomatic landscape of what would become southern New England.
Mack Scott is a historian, educator, and member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. His work focuses on the intersections of race and identity and employs agency as a lens through which to view and understand the voices, stories, and perspectives of traditionally marginalized peoples. He has published works illuminating the experiences of African American, Native American, and Latinx peoples. He is currently working on a project that traces the Narragansett from the pre-colonial to the modern era.
This is a hybrid event. Zoom link available after registration.
Masks required for in-person attendees
CSSJ Fellow Presentations:
Friday, April 8- Trouble of the World: Slavery and Empire in the Age of Capital with Zach Sell