When you start to look at Native American history, you realize that, very far from being a peaceful, morally superior people, Native Americans were not that different from Europeans.

In this quote, Philipp Meyer challenges the common perception of Native Americans as a morally superior or inherently peaceful people, suggesting instead that their history reveals that, like Europeans, they were complex and capable of both violence and moral failings. Meyer points out that when examining Native American history, one finds that these communities were not immune to the same conflicts, struggles for power, and territorial disputes that characterized European societies. His statement emphasizes the need to move beyond idealized portrayals of Native Americans and consider their history with the same critical eye applied to any culture or civilization.

Meyer’s perspective reflects his broader approach to history and storytelling in his works, which often seek to humanize groups of people by exploring their complexities. In his novel The Son, Meyer delves into the brutal and multifaceted history of the American West, including the interactions between Native Americans and European settlers. He presents a more nuanced view of the historical narrative, acknowledging that violence, power struggles, and survival instincts were a part of Native American history, just as they were for European colonizers.

The origin of the quote likely stems from Meyer’s research and writing on the American frontier and the Native American experience. He has long been interested in challenging simplistic historical narratives, and this quote serves as a reflection of his commitment to exploring history in all its complexity. Meyer’s assertion is aimed at encouraging a more balanced and honest understanding of the history of Native Americans, one that avoids romanticizing their past or painting them as solely victims of European colonialism.

Ultimately, Meyer’s quote encourages a more critical examination of Native American history, urging people to see beyond the traditional, often idealized portrayals and understand that, like any group, Native Americans were shaped by the same range of human qualities—both noble and flawed. By challenging these myths, Meyer seeks to provide a more realistic portrayal of the historical realities of both Native Americans and Europeans during the colonization of North America.