Introduction

Throughout history there have been individuals who have stood up for equality and justice. They were not always popular because of their convictions. Some of these individuals risked their lives, like the Civil Rights workers did in the 1960s. Others like the New England abolitionists before the Civil War and President Lincoln believed that slavery was wrong and fought to eliminate it. There was an easier path that could have been taken; they chose to do what is right.

Such an individual was Helen Hunt Jackson. Her second husband was a wealthy man and she could have lived a life of leisure after her marriage. Instead she became aware that an injustice was being done and she worked relentlessly to bring about a change. Traveling around Southern California in poor health and often under rough conditions, she gathered information for her report to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Appendix XV).

When she finished writing A Century of Dishonor, at her own expense, she sent a copy to every member of Congress. It was unfortunate that the book was not the catalyst for change she had hoped. However, it is nonetheless a worthy body of work. We are not often provided with a critical view of history as it is taking place. It can be much less of a risk to condemn government actions in retrospect.

This work may not have had the enduring popularity as her novel Ramona (it has never been out of print), but it still has relevance to those who have an interest in an unvarnished account of U.S. History.