Boston instituted a ban on Indians within city limits in 1675. Now, 330 years later, the ban is being lifted. But why repeal a law that has been so effective? For my first two decades, I lived in the greater Boston area. In the last decade, I've returned frequently. Not only have Indians never attacked me, but Indians have never attacked other Bostonians I know either. Rather than lift the prohibition, why not extend it to the inhabitants of the Arlington projects, anyone from Chelsea, Somervillians wearing scally caps and/or Adidas sneakers, and men from the North Shore in the 18-29 demographic with tribal-band tattoos, fake tans, and more jewelry than your sister. Unlike laws against murder, car theft, and random battery, this Indian ban seems to be 100 percent effective.

Of course, Boston's arcane Indian law has nothing to do with the paucity of scalpings and abductions of settler children as of late. Even when there were great numbers of Indians in New England, the ban likely had little bearing on the comings and goings of Native Americans. The hostility of locals with knowledge of the Deerfield Massacre, the murder of the exiled Anne Hutchinson, and King Philip's War probably had a greater influence on local tribes' steering clear of Boston.

The absurd example of Boston's long-forgotten Indian ordinance illustrates the frequent disconnect between correlation and causation in legal matters. Laws against suicide, drug use, base jumping, and, until recently, male-on-male sex hardly prove more dissuasive than the natural risks posed by such behavior. In other words, the law acts as a curative to few societal problems. In a free society, government prohibitions often carry slighter punishment than nature's, or society's, prohibitions.

I've been reading this blog for some time, but I've never posted. What got me finally was the reference to the "men from the North Shore in the 18-29 demographic with tribal-band tattoos, fake tans, and more jewelry than your sister." Living right outside Boston, I could't help but laugh out loud upon reading that. What an on-point, hilariously funny observation that can only be understood by someone who has been through Saugus, Revere, Lynn, etc. and seen that exact demographic.

I for one feel less safe.

As a proud Massachusetts Citizen I am outraged that they are allowing filthy Indians into my precious city.

Ugh. You darem to try and keep out red man for many moons. Just remember what happened to Paleface Custer. The Sky Spirit will exact her revenge on all you palefaces.

Here is a partial list of people I would like to see banned. Anyone named Nashon, Lashon, Tommika, toiletra, urinella or commoda. People who own pit B's. People who have a ton of cousins. People who like to practice their flow and bust out rhymes on the subway. Strangers who ask me for money,persription drugs, femmine hygene products, chap stick or socks. All people named Jasper. Bicycle enthusiats who lounge around all weekend in skin tight lime green lycra spandex. Morris. People with shaved heads, goatees and neck tattoos. People named Champagne. People with t shirts expressing mourning for che guerva, kurt cobain or tu pac.People who think Jim Morrison, Oliver Stone, Sharon Stone or Stone Phillips are or were talented. Everyone named ED.

Who you kidding the Indian ban was a terrible failure. We no longer have great establishments in Arlington center due to these "Indians." The Pet Store, CVS, Wood and Strings, Brigham's, Luigi's, and many others have been victims of the Indians wrath. Instead of these great establishments we have had Bombay Classic and Punjab thrust upon us. Plus, every time I call to complain about my phone/cell/internet I end up speaking with some guy Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. Clearly this so called Indian ban has been a disaster.

I recall the Kendall Tribe being forced out in the early 80's because of new developments on Louis Ave. This was not a sad moment in our history but one to embrace and rejoice as property value in the area sky-rocketed.

We are not talking about a joking matter here. My gr-gr-gr-gr-gr-gr-gr (something like that) grandma was killed by indians during King Phillip's war.

Interesting

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=84288

I am outraged by these racist and disgusting comments on this page. You would think people have learned to accept different races but instead people that are different are treated like animals.