The "Circling the Wagons" Metaphor

One of the things I frankly wrestled with as LGBT or SSA Mormons and their families and friends gathered in Salt Lake City this past weekend under the phrase "Circling the Wagons" was the association of that phrase with a history of destructive imperialistic conflict between U.S. settlers and Native Americans on the U.S. frontier.

A friend of mine recently shared this quote from the "WiseGeek" web-site, discussing the history and true meaning of this phrase:

The idea that settlers of the west were often threatened by marauding Native American tribes and had to “circle the wagons” for protection is something of a myth. This idea has been perpetuated by many western movies that showed settlers in conflict with native tribes who would attack circled wagon trains in their territory. In fact, however, many Native American tribes were friendly to the settlers, and initially welcomed their presence.

When a wagon train was formed into a circle, the most common reason for this was one that was seldom portrayed in popular cinematic representations of the period. Wagon trains brought cattle along with them as they moved into the American West in search of new land to ranch and farm. At night, these cattle would need to be corralled so that they would not wander off, and the easiest way to do this was to bring the wagons into a circle around the herd to keep them fixed in one place. This would protect them from getting lost or injured in unknown terrain, and from being attacked by wild animals.

I love this more inclusive imagery. Settlers circled the wagons to keep in, to keep safe, rather than to keep out or to do battle. Replacing the "cowboys vs. Indians" imagery with the image of a protective, inclusive community is much more in line with the spirit of these conferences.

This image of settlers circling their wagons to keep their cattle safe could certainly also be cross referenced with the parable of the good Shepherd leaving the 90 and nine sheep to go rescue the one that is lost.

I also love the fact that this article points out that the idea U.S. settlers needed to "circle the wagons" to defend against Indian attack is "something of a myth." The dialog that took place over this past weekend in Salt Lake went a long way toward debunking the myth that people who disagree with us on issues related to "homosexuality" or "same-sex attraction" are enemies we need to circle the wagons against. We are all part of the same community, deserving a place within the circle of protection. 

Thanks, Shelly!