Recently, I was researching and reading articles related to social justice, political, and religious issues, and came across an article that I think all must read. The article is entitled “Fighting Terrorism Since 1492”, written by Nickole Fox, and addresses terrorism, politics, and religious issues that most Americans (both Christian and non-Christian) have either ignored or not addressed.
Nickole Fox states…"Since the 9/11 attacks, there has been uproar of patriotism and fear in the minds of many Americans. To many, this is a new fear, a fear that stems from being powerless at the hands of the enemy, that we no longer have control over our own destinies, and that at any given moment the terrorists could come in and challenge our sovereignty. With this fear, founded or unfounded, we fight the enemy, we defend the land. However, this fear and resistance is far from new to many people in the United States. The indigenous Nations and people of this continent have been fighting to regain control of our destinies and for an end to terrorism on our communities and identities for many years. The beginning of terrorism in America for us, Native American People, was 1492.
This terrorism has taken many forms throughout the last 500 years on this continent. From slavery and physical genocide to land theft and cultural genocide, colonial powers would stop at nothing to eliminate Native people, and to exploit the resources of this continent. The Allotment Act sectioned off Native communities and led to significant land loss to white farmers. During removal, thousands of Native people died while being taken away from their ancestral homelands, where their traditions are based. Smallpox blankets were just one of the many attempts to plague communities with deadly diseases. extermination allowed the federal government to renege on its treaty responsibilities to Native nations and to remove tribal rights to self-govern. Relocation policies promised economic opportunities in urban areas instead of supporting sovereignty by promoting economic self-sufficiency. Native American women have been sterilized against their will, a form of eugenics and population control. Currently, Uranium mines, weapons testing sites, and dumping contaminate our communities. By marginalizing the indigenous people of this nation through genocidal and assimilationist policy the United States has attempted to eradicate us through the destruction of our identities by killing us or "making us like them."
Christian boarding schools were another one of the genocidal methods used. Assimilation policy sought to "Kill the Indian, save the man" and make Indian people hate everything Indian, including themselves. Children were often stolen from their families at very young ages to attend schools across the country, far from their families and communities. Christianizing practices taught Indian children that they were sinful and that their traditions were heathen. Native languages were forbidden; children who dared to speak their language were scolded, beaten or had pins stuck into their tongues. Sexual and physical abuse also plagued these Christian run government sanctioned boarding schools. The detrimental effects of boarding schools continue today; it is rare to find a Native person today whose family has not been affected by these schools.
There is still much healing to be done…"
So, what do you think?
1. As Christ believing citizens, do we have a responsibility to be a voice to the voiceless, powerless, oppressed, and so forth…how so in this case?
2. What types of oppressions and injustices are taking place in your own community? How are/or can you be a voice to those in your own community?
3. Specifically speaking about Americans, do you think we have succumbed both politically and theologically to the greatest temptation of all: recreating God in our own image?
4. Are we created to be a unity and a diversity, designed to serve and honor one another in relational oneness, bringing about restoration?
*If you are interested in reading the complete article, you can check it out at: http://criticalmoment.org/juneaugust2004/articles/fox.html
(some info. taken from nickole fox and “living in color” by randy woodley)
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7 comments:
I'll be honest. I saw how long your post was, and I didn't bother even starting to read it. Too much work to just say hi.
HI! I saw your link on your wifes blog, so I thought I'd give it a whirl and see if you still cool and such. Seems to me that you've gotten alot more brainy, but I guess that's okay.
I wrote this on your wifes blog, but I'll repeat. My wife (Jess) and I have a baby on the way, and it's due in September. You can see pic's of us and our English life on www.getyourfill.blogspot.com or on www.xanga.com/scottie_in_the_uk.
Also, you two had one cute kid. Blue Ribbon, honestly.
Native Americans were perceived as less than fully human to the white settlers who were achieving their "Manifest Destiny," and the policies and actions of people and of governments reflected that. The damage to indigenous peoples and cultures has been so complete that it seems irreversible.
Even current policies, though perhaps well-meaning, continue to add damage. As I understand it, native Americans who continue to reside on reservation lands are eligible for special welfare payments. These handouts undermine self-esteem and discourage personal and community development. Alcoholism rates are legendary.
Perhaps the best government policy today is no policy at all. Virtually everything that we have done has been wrong. Even now, perhaps the best thing would be to do nothing. Even doctors live by the rule: first, do no harm.
The Christian schools were another example of well-meaning (at least by most) disaster. Of course we believed, and still believe, that we have an obligation to share the Gospel and make disciples. In that age, however, we didn't believe their culture could be redeemed from within. Foreign missions operated by similar principles, but from a less absolute power base. Today, we look to indigenous people to determine for themselves how Christian faith and life impacts their culture.
Kerry
I got around to reading this entry 12 hours before I embark on my Potawatomie "Trail of Death" pennance walk --so it is great timing for me Jeremy. I can't undo the past but I can remember it so I'm wiser for the present and future maybe. And I can ask forgoveness for my people. Thanks! I'm outta' here!
1. As Christ believing citizens, do we have a responsibility to be a voice to the voiceless, powerless, oppressed, and so forth…how so in this case?
Here I would say definitely. I just cannot believe what I am reading..."Christian boarding schools" doing these types of atrocities...was anyone reading the Bible then?
2. What types of oppressions and injustices are taking place in your own community? How are/or can you be a voice to those in your own community?
Here, in Spring Lake, there is mostly the unspoken and unsaid socio-economic oppresions regarding those of the haves and have-nots...I am just wondering what happened to my heart for those persons...
3. Specifically speaking about Americans, do you think we have succumbed both politically and theologically to the greatest temptation of all: recreating God in our own image?
Politically, mostly yes. I just returned from a missions trip in our nation's capitol and, wow, there is more poverty and every type of social ill in our nation's capital than anywhere I have ever seen in the U.S., and I have traveled a ton...in fact the leader there had just returned from a meeting of 100, 24 year old grandmothers...ahhhh! And these social ills are not elsewhere...but in our capital under our politicans noses and the noses of us, the taxpayers and citizens! So politically, yes we are recreating God in our image...no prayer in schools, no 10 commandments in the courthouses, trying to take God off the currency, thus where is God...all that is left is the government, thus, us....
4. Are we created to be a unity and a diversity, designed to serve and honor one another in relational oneness, bringing about restoration?
Yes!
Oh and regarding the treatment of Native Americans...that is a subject very close to my heart. Growing up in Louisiana and out in the country (as you know Jeremy - ha), I was exposed to stories, artifacts, and pictures of the Native Americans. My great great grandmother was Cherokee. Thus, for some reason, I have had a special hurt for this people group. And there is no excuse for what we did to them...Whether it was a direct result of arrogance, selfishness, or outright disobedience of Christ, it happened and is, in a lot of ways, still happening today on the reservations. Ahhhh...I could keep going and going...
I'm only about a fourth Indian a mixture of Cherokee and Inca, but the Native American blood must run strong. It has always made me so sad to read about the way the indigenous people of America were treated. People of todays world think that we have it so terrible but they know nothing of the death and sadness that brought us here.
Christians have always fought wars to make there religion the most powerful and abundant. If you read the speech "The Indians must worship the great spirit in their own way" from Sagoyewatha or 'red Jacket' of the Seneca tribe he adresses this very thing. He explains that his people never fought over religion but all the while the white men fought wars over this very thing. He says that we all follow the same god but we worship differently. He tells the Europeans that they came here to seek refuge from religious persecution only to turn around and persecute others.
Every other nation in the world always wanted dominance and control over all others and they would go to any extent to get it. Even hiding behind a mask of vitrue and righteousness. The Indian people were a beautiful society that were grateful for everything the earth provided. Unlike the more 'civilized' society that used resources wantonly and gave no regard to true spirituality. I can't help but wonder which side was REALLY the heathens.
I also want to say that i don't mean any disregard for christians by my comments. I was raised Catholic but it was never really forced on me. I didn't HAVE to go to church every sunday I've never even been baptized i was allowed the freedom to make my own decisions on this subject. It was this relaxed religious environment that lead me to seek out my own way. So i read every book on every religion i could find in the elemntary school library.
It's amazing how while seeking for religion you realized how much curruption and (as someone above stated) 'well meant' destruction you find. The one religion i found that i have felt in my heart was right was the way of the indians they were simple in their beliefs and they didn't need all the rules and regulations of other religions. They did not know of the racism and blind violence that the settlers brought with them. In many ways they were like children, simple and pure. Maybe this is way they did not question the great spirit and did not fight over his teachings. They never even fought with the white men over it they believed that the great spirit and god were one and the same as all things are one. But the settlers had logic and were much more developed so what they did not understand would not be tolerated so the acted as all their ancestors before them acted, with violence and agression. Then once the did is done hide the evidence where no one of 'high class' can see their dirty deeds. It's sickening the things that go on in this world all through out history and on into infinity it will keep going.
I could go on forever but soon my comments will be longer then the article so i should just stop while i'm ahead.
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