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Segregation Nation
Article Source: The American Prospect- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (14)
Tyliesha Tucker attends a well-regarded high school in Nebraska’s Bellevue school district. Last year, Tyliesha, who is 15 and “pretty hilarious” by her own description, went to her local school in the Omaha Public School District. So did her 13-year-old brother, Kevin. But then there was the incident in the bathroom with a group of girls who had been tormenting her.
- 1 vote
#1 - Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:16 PM EDTI think that the author is a little overly optimistic. But the city is trying to do something and improve the education for all. For that I'll give them credit.
No where in this article did I see Native-American children mentioned.
- 2 votes
#2 - Wed Jun 29, 2011 5:35 PM EDTOr that we are rarely included in any statement about minorities.
- 1 vote
You're right about that but I believe that is by design and not by the groups who are fighting for their lives. To become a presence you must be a presence.
I understand where you're coming from Kavika but how often does anyone hear about Natives marching at the state capital or even read about a powerful Native group doing anything?
Most people never think about Natives because Natives mostly keep to themselves and that's not a bad thing because all cultures do it but when you want to be included in the fight for whatever, you must be a part of a large successful political group otherwise you can't/won't be heard. Also, when you keep to yourselves people come to believe that you don't want to be associated with them. If they believe they are being excluded they too will exclude.
- 2 votes
Power, two answers to your statement.
First. Please see the following re movement, groups etc. AIM, the most aggressive and the various other groups to include the Native American Indian Council. The taking of Alcatrz, The taking of the BIA in Washington D.C. The Walk of Broken Treadies and probably the most noted and one that did change the American concious was the 2nd wounded Knee 1973. So it's not like were are not aggresive in our demands. There are many others that I did not mention.
Second ''mostly keep to themselves''...That is not difficult to do when you are forced onto a reservation. The distrust of anything government is buried in our souls, and the government keeps reinforcing this with there assimilation policies and broken treadies. Our main thrust now is the court system, and that has been successful in many cases. We are winning a hell of a lot more then were losing, inspite of the BIA.
I should add one more...The BIA. think of what it means to even have a BIA. It means that we can't handles our own affairs and lives. They handle money due us from our timber rights, mineral rights, water rights etc. They have lost $Billions of our dollars. Please see the recent settlement of 3.7 Billion dollars that we won. What if there was a Buerau of White, or Black or Hispanic affairs, how do you think that would go over?
Can we do more, of course we can. There is always room for improvement.
Good points and debate Power.
- 2 votes
Too many people assume Native Americans are Hispanic or even Asian!
Maybe if the First Nations wore their hair in braids with feathers and loin cloths all the time rather than just at Pow Wows they could be noticed. But how would you feel if you had to live up to a stereo type to be recognized or been seen?
Too many people assume Native Americans are Hispanic or even Asian!
I don't believe many people think one way or another because so many don't know the history of Native Americans.
Maybe if the First Nations wore their hair in braids with feathers and loin cloths all the time rather than just at Pow Wows they could be noticed.
I don't believe that's necessary but it wouldn't be a bad thing because a lot of kids will want to emulate what they see and that will bring attention to your causes.
But how would you feel if you had to live up to a stereo type to be recognized or been seen?
I am a stereotype! I'm classified as Black though I bore many cultures.
I still stand by my original statement. If you want to be noticed you have to be loud and to be loud you have to join established non-Native organizations that are loud in gaining attention.
It's a cope out to say because you're forced to live on reservations that you can't get your message out because there are organizations that will come to you and, not only that, someone on the reservation has a vehicle and you can put your pennies together to buy fuel for that vehicle and venture out to those organizations.
Social justice organizations that you might want to consider contacting are UUCC Social Justice, Civil Rights, Human & Civil Rights Organizations of America, NAACP. There are others and if you're interested, type civil rights organizations in your browser.
If you're really serious about getting your messages out you'll contact these organizations. It always work to be pro-active rather then reactive and playing the blame game because playing the blame game never works and just turn people off.
Something else you might want to keep in mind is to fight the system you must be part of the system because the only way to fight the system is from within.
Let me know what happened after you've spoken to the civil rights organizations.
- 1 vote
Power, ''it's a cop out to say your're forced to live on reservations that you can't get your message out''. I did not make that statement nor do I see it in any other post. Do you not think that we have not been in contact and work with the organizations that you listed, plus many others.
''active then reactive and playing the blame game'' Who is playing the blame game Power, is pointing out history the blame game. What blame game are you talking about.
''let me know what happened after you've spoken to the civil rights organizations''..
Perhaps you should read the history of the Indian civil rights movement, or just refer to my above post, and the organizations and instances involved.
I'm sorry that you feel that we play the blame game and do nothing to advance our cause, because it isn't true.
Power, check out the history of the NAACP and Native Americans.
Janurary 2001: NAACP Committed to Publicize Plight of Native Americas..Read why they are and then read the opposition to it. Interesting reading.
I don't understand why you wanted me to read the article.
Damn, I must have been addressing someone in another thread and hadn't let go of the thought, sorry.
Everyone and every group plays the blame game--it's human nature and because everyone has an agenda. Don't believe me? Just look at the Headlines here in Newsvine.
The point I'm trying to make is that you cannot effect change in a system when working outside the system, against the system. And the AIC alone won't get you as far as you want to go as soon as you want to get there.
Maybe this example will help you to understand what I'm trying to get across.
When I sought help for homeless children and families at a local Chamber of Commerce meeting, I was told their goal was to get the homeless off the Highway (our main road) and not in a good way. Instead of taking that as a no, I found a way around them as a group. I solicited them individually and received thousands of dollars in in-kind gifts.
I hope that example was useful in saying that there is always another way to get what you want. If one organization doesn't work for you keep those finger dialing until you find one that does.
Since I sit on various boards, (at the present only two) attend various meetings where we are constantly fundraising for the poor and the homeless, it's a habit to say let me know how it turned out or let me know what they said. So don't take it as an insult.
- 1 vote
Power, my point is that we are working within the system, and with many civil rights organization, including the NAACP. I don't know where you got the idea that were not.
We also work outside the so-called system. We are using all that is available including the courts, in which we have had sucess.
I too do a lot of fund raising and know how to work the phone so to speak. ''Dialing for Dollars''...LOL
Waanakiwin niijii
#3 - Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:38 PM EDTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
