I find the island of Alcatraz an interesting yet somewhat creepy place. Its history as a prison is probably at the root of this, promoting images of escaping convicts and murderers. Due to its isolation from the outside by the cold, strong, hazardous currents of the waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was used to house Civil War prisoners as early as 1861. After the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, civilian prisoners were transferred to Alcatraz for safe confinement. By 1912 there was a large cellhouse, and in the 1920s a large 3-story structure was nearly at full capacity.
Whilst the prison was in use, it housed prisoners such as the notorious Al Capone.
In its 29 years of operation, the prison claimed to have no successful escapes, although seven prisoners were shot and 2 drowned whilst attempting to get out.
The prison was closed in 1963 as it was far more expensive than other prisons to operate. It also polluted the bay area and suffered from bad erosion.

It was then in 1969 that the Native Americans from different tribes occupied the island, propsing various changes to the treatment on native americans. It has been debated as to how successful the takover of Alcatraz was for native americans, as their initial demands were not met.On the PBS website there is a passage written by Russell Means. In it, he argues how vital the takeover of the island was, stating how the event changed the way native americans dressed, danced and spoke. He believes they recliamed their sovereignty and self-determination. With this in mind it seems aspects and results of the occupation far outweighed the somewhat smaller amounts of legislative changes by the government.

It seems there are various ways of looking at the island therefore; an abandoned creepy prison, a site of protest and mark of Indian identification, or historic and national heritage which has stood through time in the bay watching over the city.


Question: Do you think the island stands as a positive symbol of Native American achievements and protest? Or is it a reminder of their history of oppression and the governments neglect?