Guest guest Posted October 17, 1999 Report Share Posted October 17, 1999 In a message dated 10/17/1999 5:40:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time, glee writes: << Please help to educate us and tell us what better word choices are preferred, as a beginning. Those terms were even taught us in our history books, as children. Also, in general, we are aware of the sad history of violence, broken treaties, and the most unfortunate continuance of disadvantaged circumstances still occurring. Many of us are very interested in learning what might be done today to effect positive changes and also to hear the wisdom of your people. Please do share with us and thanks again for speaking up. >> I second this heartily. I recently moved to New Mexico and I've learned more about Native American spirituality in the 5 weeks I've been here than I had in the previous 52 years. And I thought I was educated! Much of the U.S. is in sore need of the very wisdom we have tried to annihilate. I'd be very interested in knowing about indigenous approaches to raising and maintaining spiritual energy. Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 1999 Report Share Posted October 17, 1999 In a message dated 10/17/1999 6:42:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Hbarrett47 writes: << In a message dated 10/17/1999 5:40:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time, glee writes: << Please help to educate us and tell us what better word choices are preferred, as a beginning. Those terms were even taught us in our history books, as children. Also, in general, we are aware of the sad history of violence, broken treaties, and the most unfortunate continuance of disadvantaged circumstances still occurring. Many of us are very interested in learning what might be done today to effect positive changes and also to hear the wisdom of your people. Please do share with us and thanks again for speaking up. >> I second this heartily. I recently moved to New Mexico and I've learned more about Native American spirituality in the 5 weeks I've been here than I had in the previous 52 years. And I thought I was educated! Much of the U.S. is in sore need of the very wisdom we have tried to annihilate. I'd be very interested in knowing about indigenous approaches to raising and maintaining spiritual energy. Holly >> Thirding! My mother has been studying Native Americans since she arrived in the U.S.A. 35 years ago, so, we were lucky enough to grow up with alot of artwork, which i got to study more of when i lived in Arizona. But, I don't know the correct terminology, and would love to be better educated. A friend, Chaya, on the West Coast has been teaching some of the Native American stories which I love. I would be very surprised if Bob meant anything other than wit, I am sure he did not mean harm or hurt, he is a very sweet guy, and often, like perhaps some of the rest of us, I dash something off in email, that I shouldn't. I type too fast, I have practiced turning my fingers on the keys 30 times :-) ... as told to do *g* ... but, jokes aside, I would love to know more about the Native Americans who lived in harmony with nature for so long here on this continent. Love*Light*Laughter, ~ Rainbo ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 1999 Report Share Posted October 17, 1999 atsilaaktahi <atsilaaktahi < > Sunday, October 17, 1999 3:52 PM Re: Inquiry/Racism/Atsila? >"atsilaaktahi" <atsilaaktahi > >Harsha, >I appreciate your attempt ....................... >I am not here to talk of culture and traditions of my people, as this >is not the forum for it. Dear Atsila, Thank you for speaking up. This is very, very important. How else can we clear up misunderstandings? If you see that respect is not shown, it is right to bring this to attention. Even good-hearted people can be unaware of how their words may be perceived and taken by others. Why is this? We have lacked enough communication to really understand one another's culture. Please be assured that many of us are extremely happy to have an opportunity to learn more of your culture, and we would welcome any contributions. This IS the forum for any sharing that will increase mutual understanding and communication, which is more possible only because we have internet. One reason we are here in satsangh is to learn ahimsa, non-harming in thought, word, or deed. Your comments can help us all. Please help to educate us and tell us what better word choices are preferred, as a beginning. Those terms were even taught us in our history books, as children. Also, in general, we are aware of the sad history of violence, broken treaties, and the most unfortunate continuance of disadvantaged circumstances still occurring. Many of us are very interested in learning what might be done today to effect positive changes and also to hear the wisdom of your people. Please do share with us and thanks again for speaking up. With love, Gloria PS... We recently indulged in a ridiculous and inexplicable spoof of the whole swami and guru syndrome taking place in the West... we can get very carried away trying to be funny here sometimes.. our intent then was to make fun of the phonies copying the real.. and not the real, which is very much respected. Its hard to explain some things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 1999 Report Share Posted October 17, 1999 Harsha, I appreciate your attempt ....................... I am not here to talk of culture and traditions of my people, as this is not the forum for it. But, I also will not come here and disrespect your beliefs, culture or what have you. These terms, squaw, brave, and the whole "artistic humor" of these posts were out of a misconception that has been perpetrated through- out the United States in an attempt to dehumanize a race of people. Be that as it may, it is not my problem to solve. But, to point out the racist attitude is within my "mind" to do. Whatever else you implied in this post about being lonely and wanting to be understood in the way you want to be, then it would seem to behoove each of us to make sure what we represent ourselves to be through our words be how we want to be viewed. These words did not cause me pain, personally. Nor does it effect the love I feel for humanity. We all have the choice of our perceptions. I still maintain that disrespecting a whole race of people by using demeaning terms is sad. The terms are demeaning because of the history of violence and disrespect shown by their use, and the actions of races of people against another race. So, instead of assuming any more on this topic, let's just leave it. atsila aktahi We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit made them. Chief Joseph 1873 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 1999 Report Share Posted October 18, 1999 It is a strange notion, IMHO, to believe, that we can study a culture but not live it, or live it but not study it. Changing subject, A few words from a song I just found: "I would want to return grace to the one who maybe has been my first and unique master. A philosopher dead some 30 years ago. Dead of his own choice, not to old and not sick. He was not of those who enter history. We are few to serve his memory. He did not show himself as a saint or a prophet, but was looking with us for happiness and and the sense of holiday. He dreamed of a life that we take by the waste, without needing to win it like a battle. He would tell us that the planet is full of fruits and of bread and of love and that it was free. He would tell us of never bending again the backbone, or to bow low in front of a machine. He wished for future generations to never suffer of any ache. Without wanting to teach, his words where clear, in this maybe is speech was revolutionary. I would want to return grace at this master in wisdom, who did not arrive from The Orient or China. I would want to return grace at this master in wisdom, who was only asking for the right to be lazy." >From Moustaky, "The right to be lazy" It was a pleasant surprise to hear this song for the first time this weekend. This unknown master, is most probably the one who should carry the seal for the right to be lazy. Antoine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.