The Pros And Cons Of The Dakota Access Pipeline

Throughout history, there has been a frequent pattern of acquisitions for more and an emphasis on accumulation. The desire for more land, more money, and more authority has snaked its way through much of human history, leading many societies to become bloodthirsty and greedy. Minorities, specifically, have been targeted as disadvantaged groups for whom it is easy to gain land from and exploit. They are seen as “less than” and consequently treated as such. Racism has left this country blood soaked and entrenched us with self delusion: “I had to learn how race was invented as a function of capitalism to justify the brutality of genocide and forced free labor.” Here, writer Ijeoma Oluo, paints the brutal truth of a country overcome with ignorance.

It would transport crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. The project developer, Dakota Access, says the pipeline would help the U.S. become less dependent on importing energy from precarious regions throughout the world. They also say a pipeline is the safest, most cost effective, and environmentally responsible way to transport crude oil. Although some view this pipeline as an asset, and something that would bring in millions of dollars along with thousands of jobs, many neglect to perceive the blatant racism involved in this act. The pipeline would be dug under the Missouri River, potentially affecting the Standing Rock Sioux Indians drinking water supply and seventeen million Americans. When discussing this aspect of the pipeline, people overlook their flagrant disregard for Native Americans rights. In encouraging the pipeline, they also support the stain of history: Treaties were made, then broken, as ancestral lands were purloined by colonizers. Identifiable within colonization is the superiority complex many whites have toward other non-white cultures. By claiming something they do not rightfully own, they portray themselves as more dominant. For instance, the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, showcases how those ignorant of their white privilege often feel as if they are being personally attacked. Seeming to forget that their race has not been ridiculed or vilified throughout time, many white ranchers and militia members protested against losing their land to the government; ironically and conveniently forgetting that their ancestors tore this land from Native Americans. The Burns Paiute Tribe, whose members marvel at these claims, have a message for the occupiers: “You're not the