The Lands of The Lakota
Project instructions:
Think about the U.S.wrongfully taking the lands of the Lakota (the Sioux), consider the questions of justice that are raised today, based on the injustice of the past. Take it as established that the U.S. did wrongfully break the Treaty with the Lakota when it seized the Black Hills in 1877 as that is what the U.S. Supreme Court held in 1980. So what should we do now?¦.
Consider the following questions: What is the morally correct action to take and why and what would justice require of us as a nation, and why? Does justice require the same thing as what we would argue is morally correct? What concepts of justice and retribution might help us reach a conclusion here? Don’t limit yourself just to the two proposed alternatives: either paying out the money (which so far has been refused and what do you make of that action on the part of the Lakota?) or returning the Black Hills. Maybe neither action is either sufficient or possible. What do you think? Give your philosophically-grounded reasons. You do not need to answer all the questions I have raised here, I am raising lots of questions primarily to help spur your own thoughts.
You should refer to how Rawls’ Theory of Justice would apply, or how Utilitarianism or Kant’s Categorical Imperative might affect your argument. It is very common to write on a philosophical topic by arguing what other philosophers would likely make of the topic you are addressing.