Take today as an opportunity to learn about the suffering and struggle of Indigenous Americans, and how you can play a role to counter their ongoing systemic oppression
Something else about Columbus: he believed that by circling the globe he would thus bring Christianity to all four corners of the earth (mixing my metaphors here) and thus hasten the end of the world. Christian millennial fever at is highest.
Thank you for your comprehensive article on why this is a National Day of Mourning for many Indigenous People and what actions can be taken. Really appreciate the list of resources to help those in need and also educate ourselves. As thankful as I am today for family and friends that have made a difference in my life, I’m finding it impossible to go through the day without acknowledging and calling for reparation and change for BIPOC communities. We must dismantle the “traditions” of racist and colonialist violence and oppression against marginalized communities. Sharing this.
Thank you Qasim. Here in Canada immigrants and their descendants like myself need to know better the living Indigenous cultures and peoples in our region, to understand their historical experience and to seek to correct current injustices for a better society together. Like the US and a lot remains to be done in this process of national truth and reconciliation.
I have found the teaching work of Mark Charles (Diné/Navajo) to very helpful in my understanding of the history of the US and its treatment of Native Americans. I recommend his Ted Talk:
There is no way to compensate Native Americans for what earlier New Worlders did to them, like there is no way to compensate Africans for what earlier New Worlders did to them. I suppose we could take Reinventing Christianity's advice, despite that it comes from someone who calls him- or herself Reinventing Christianity. Religion has caused enough trouble over a long enough time that we should abolish, not Reinvent, it. As a strictly personal matter, because it makes some people feel better? Fine. And they should keep it to themselves. No one else needs whatever benefit they think they derive from it. Even the US Constitution's First Amendment has its way of saying that one's personal religious beliefs are not to be imposed on everyone else. Some of the Founding Fathers very clearly stated the same thing, including specifically that this is not a Christian country. There's no reason even to mention those personal religious beliefs. You think there's one "god?" You think "god" has a son? You think there's a "god," "god's son," and a holy spirit? You think there's a "god," and "god's" son, but you're jettisoned the holy spirit? You think "god's" son came back as Haile Selassie? You believe in all the Hindu "gods?" All fine. Have a nice weekend. Have a nice life. Just stop bothering other people, including shockingly generous and friendly indigenous Native Americans, or ones you decided to enslave, and "convert." Or, as the old bumper sticker put it "If You Don't Believe in Abortion, Don't Have One." And as objectionable as anyone else thinks you are, no one will force you to have one.
Yes! Today is a day to be thankful for life health and strength..
Side note: the conservative wing nuts have begun sharing revisionist history already. Apparently they want it known that the indigenous people initiated the attack on the pilgrims in 1620 and not the other way around. It also wasn’t the colonizers fault that they spread smallpox…
Also GIVE MONEY. Many reservations have crushing economic needs. My family heritage reservation, Pine Ridge (Lakota) in South Dakota, has the worst poverty in the country, with an average household income of $26K/year. There’s still no fresh drinking water in many places throughout the reservation, for instance; people have to steal gas to drive to the nearest city and buy water.
The best way to give is not directly to the reservation, because communal tribal property law means that whoever opens your donation envelope can cash your check and keep the money themselves. So choose a reputable charity, especially one focused on youth. Here’s one but there are others; do a little homework:
Thank you for this information & may God bless you. I have downloaded the shipping lable and putting together a box to send. Human beings have been a scourge on the planet. This is a perfect day of mourning 💔 and respect. Forgiveness is bullshit as it never seems to stop.
Something else about Columbus: he believed that by circling the globe he would thus bring Christianity to all four corners of the earth (mixing my metaphors here) and thus hasten the end of the world. Christian millennial fever at is highest.
Thank you
Thank you for your comprehensive article on why this is a National Day of Mourning for many Indigenous People and what actions can be taken. Really appreciate the list of resources to help those in need and also educate ourselves. As thankful as I am today for family and friends that have made a difference in my life, I’m finding it impossible to go through the day without acknowledging and calling for reparation and change for BIPOC communities. We must dismantle the “traditions” of racist and colonialist violence and oppression against marginalized communities. Sharing this.
I was just treated very badly by a Native American. I am mourning today for Gaza.
Thank you Qasim. Here in Canada immigrants and their descendants like myself need to know better the living Indigenous cultures and peoples in our region, to understand their historical experience and to seek to correct current injustices for a better society together. Like the US and a lot remains to be done in this process of national truth and reconciliation.
I have found the teaching work of Mark Charles (Diné/Navajo) to very helpful in my understanding of the history of the US and its treatment of Native Americans. I recommend his Ted Talk:
https://youtu.be/HOktqY5wY4A?si=RPb3A-1fEeLEp38H
In these deeply unsettling times I am honored to give my thanks to you for your valuable work and your invaluable heart.
Qasim, I'm grateful for you.
There is no way to compensate Native Americans for what earlier New Worlders did to them, like there is no way to compensate Africans for what earlier New Worlders did to them. I suppose we could take Reinventing Christianity's advice, despite that it comes from someone who calls him- or herself Reinventing Christianity. Religion has caused enough trouble over a long enough time that we should abolish, not Reinvent, it. As a strictly personal matter, because it makes some people feel better? Fine. And they should keep it to themselves. No one else needs whatever benefit they think they derive from it. Even the US Constitution's First Amendment has its way of saying that one's personal religious beliefs are not to be imposed on everyone else. Some of the Founding Fathers very clearly stated the same thing, including specifically that this is not a Christian country. There's no reason even to mention those personal religious beliefs. You think there's one "god?" You think "god" has a son? You think there's a "god," "god's son," and a holy spirit? You think there's a "god," and "god's" son, but you're jettisoned the holy spirit? You think "god's" son came back as Haile Selassie? You believe in all the Hindu "gods?" All fine. Have a nice weekend. Have a nice life. Just stop bothering other people, including shockingly generous and friendly indigenous Native Americans, or ones you decided to enslave, and "convert." Or, as the old bumper sticker put it "If You Don't Believe in Abortion, Don't Have One." And as objectionable as anyone else thinks you are, no one will force you to have one.
Yes! Today is a day to be thankful for life health and strength..
Side note: the conservative wing nuts have begun sharing revisionist history already. Apparently they want it known that the indigenous people initiated the attack on the pilgrims in 1620 and not the other way around. It also wasn’t the colonizers fault that they spread smallpox…
Also GIVE MONEY. Many reservations have crushing economic needs. My family heritage reservation, Pine Ridge (Lakota) in South Dakota, has the worst poverty in the country, with an average household income of $26K/year. There’s still no fresh drinking water in many places throughout the reservation, for instance; people have to steal gas to drive to the nearest city and buy water.
The best way to give is not directly to the reservation, because communal tribal property law means that whoever opens your donation envelope can cash your check and keep the money themselves. So choose a reputable charity, especially one focused on youth. Here’s one but there are others; do a little homework:
https://www.onespiritlakota.org/#:~:text=One%20Spirit%20is%20a%20non,Ridge%20Reservation%20in%20South%20Dakota.
Thank you for this information & may God bless you. I have downloaded the shipping lable and putting together a box to send. Human beings have been a scourge on the planet. This is a perfect day of mourning 💔 and respect. Forgiveness is bullshit as it never seems to stop.
Thanks so much, every single gift does immeasurable good!
There are turkeys and there are turkeys.