This is a beautiful description of the mixed feelings you have gone through, Lucinda. Years ago the plight of Native Americans was not even considered. Pretty amazing, no? Was the Alcatraz occupation with Oakes the beginnings of awareness? Paul remembers it quite well as a guy from his work was Native American, Chief Eagle, who went over for a day, kept him up on it. I was in SoCal, fresh from the midwest, so pretty far removed. Still there is so little given to the Native Americans. It's shameful. The same can be said for Blacks, too. Is it bc of social embarrassment of having treated so many so horribly? These lines really resonated for me, Lucinda: "Tradition is baked into us. Breaking tradition is not easy. For those of us who are mixed-race, it puts us in the uncomfortable position of feeling like we’re picking a side." How conflicted you must have felt. It's good you are writing your way out of it (I think you are).
Thank you, Jeanine. Yes, you are right. At this point in my life I have decided to "write my way out of it". It is very complicated in a lot of ways. I don't know why there is so little interest in the history of the U.S. govt with Indians. I think---well it's complicated. But we are so assimilated, for one, mixed race, and we all live on Native Land. So while it's easy to consider reparations, etc for formerly enslaved African Americans, plus we uprooted them, brought them here, making reparations to Indians would mean what? Giving back the land we live on? It is still easier for some people to simply ignore or resent or fear the stubborn existence of Native people. As I say--it's very complicated.
I think there is shame involved in the taking of it, therefore the reluctance to acknowledge Native Americans. When a wrong takes place, no matter how cold-hearted the bearer may be, the truth of it all is known. Then for face -- to place the blame on those who have been wronged, and pretend no wrong doing. And also the constant giving and taking of lands, pushing Native Americans into lands thought worthless, and then as in the case of Oklahoma, stealing it back through murdering those it was given to. Humanity has little virtue. Imho.
Thanks for this very personal and very insightful look at Thanksgiving, which gives me tremendous pause as it had been one of my most favorite holidays, primarily for the food. The idea of transferring the menu to another special day is one I will definitely consider. Again thanks for the courage and the immense creativity you are giving to us.
This is a beautiful description of the mixed feelings you have gone through, Lucinda. Years ago the plight of Native Americans was not even considered. Pretty amazing, no? Was the Alcatraz occupation with Oakes the beginnings of awareness? Paul remembers it quite well as a guy from his work was Native American, Chief Eagle, who went over for a day, kept him up on it. I was in SoCal, fresh from the midwest, so pretty far removed. Still there is so little given to the Native Americans. It's shameful. The same can be said for Blacks, too. Is it bc of social embarrassment of having treated so many so horribly? These lines really resonated for me, Lucinda: "Tradition is baked into us. Breaking tradition is not easy. For those of us who are mixed-race, it puts us in the uncomfortable position of feeling like we’re picking a side." How conflicted you must have felt. It's good you are writing your way out of it (I think you are).
Thank you, Jeanine. Yes, you are right. At this point in my life I have decided to "write my way out of it". It is very complicated in a lot of ways. I don't know why there is so little interest in the history of the U.S. govt with Indians. I think---well it's complicated. But we are so assimilated, for one, mixed race, and we all live on Native Land. So while it's easy to consider reparations, etc for formerly enslaved African Americans, plus we uprooted them, brought them here, making reparations to Indians would mean what? Giving back the land we live on? It is still easier for some people to simply ignore or resent or fear the stubborn existence of Native people. As I say--it's very complicated.
I think there is shame involved in the taking of it, therefore the reluctance to acknowledge Native Americans. When a wrong takes place, no matter how cold-hearted the bearer may be, the truth of it all is known. Then for face -- to place the blame on those who have been wronged, and pretend no wrong doing. And also the constant giving and taking of lands, pushing Native Americans into lands thought worthless, and then as in the case of Oklahoma, stealing it back through murdering those it was given to. Humanity has little virtue. Imho.
Thanks for this very personal and very insightful look at Thanksgiving, which gives me tremendous pause as it had been one of my most favorite holidays, primarily for the food. The idea of transferring the menu to another special day is one I will definitely consider. Again thanks for the courage and the immense creativity you are giving to us.