By now, you have probably heard that a graphic passing as a cartoon appeared in the 'NY Post' showing two police officers standing over the body of a chimp shot the previous day in Connecticut with the caption "Now they'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus package" ! Both the cartoonist (I use that term loosely) and the editor (I use that term reluctantly) assert that it does not refer to our President in any way. However, given the long history of people of color being categorized and depicted as apes, monkeys, chimps, etc...it has a decidedly negative tone.
I am of dual heritage, Choctaw (Mississippi Band) on my mother's side and Black on my father's side. If you've read my blogs you know that my great-grandfather was Joseph. H. Rainey, the first duly-elected Black Congressman. From the time I was about three years old, I remember hearing stories of his efforts to bring change and dignity for all people of color and Americans from all walks of Life. He introduced legislation for Chinese laborers, Native American sovereignty/treaty issues and civil rights for freedmen. His speeches on these issues were both eloquent and scathing. The truth is sometimes ugly, but it must be told. Physical violence and death threats were constant and his status as an elected official made little difference. That was in 1870 - 1879.
It is appalling that in 2009, in what many view as the most progressive, educated, socially-interactive, influential city in America, a graphic calling for, condoning, suggesting the killing of our President could appear. I have analyzed it from all angles and there is no other conclusion to be drawn. Even should one be uninformed enough to dismiss that, at the very least, it is totally insensitive to the chimp's owner, who is clearly distraught over the death of her 'best friend' and the Life-altering injuries inflicted on her neighbor by the chimp 'gone wild'. Native people do not believe that animals were created for the entertainment of humans. If they are forced to be other than their inherent character, that is temporary, and they will revert to what they are and their nature mandates. That power over them is one which, I am sure, the Great Spirit never intended. Circuses, bullfights, creatures in captivity doing tricks...in my opinion, that is an abomination.
I went for breakfast at a restaurant nearby and they had copies of today's 'NY Post' on hand near the register. Had I seen them before my meal, I would have said something. But I did speak about it, in clear earshot, of everyone as I paid my check and remarked about it again on my way out of the door. The waitress, who knows me by name, promised to speak to her boss about continuing to carry the 'NY Post'. This 'rag' which did not endorse Mr. Obama for the Presidency, remarked in recent weeks how much of a boon his election has meant for the 'paper' which has printed special pullout sections, full page photo essays, inaugural coverage, Presidential memorabilia ads, etc. They have outdone themselves in trying to gain as much traction ($$$) as they could from his historical and remarkable journey to the White House. But obviously 'boon' still rhymes with 'coon' to them.
We must not allow this to continue. We must all use the power of our voices, our internet, our commonality, our vision for a new America and our money to make the changes we all want to see. Together, we have proven that we are a powerful movement. The time for apathy has passed. Put the hammer down and don't let up until they see that the 'good ole boys' network' is dead and real Americans are the ones killing it. The time (to stamp out racism) is now!
Author: "Native Intelligence"
www.nativeintelligencethebook.com
I am of dual heritage, Choctaw (Mississippi Band) on my mother's side and Black on my father's side. If you've read my blogs you know that my great-grandfather was Joseph. H. Rainey, the first duly-elected Black Congressman. From the time I was about three years old, I remember hearing stories of his efforts to bring change and dignity for all people of color and Americans from all walks of Life. He introduced legislation for Chinese laborers, Native American sovereignty/treaty issues and civil rights for freedmen. His speeches on these issues were both eloquent and scathing. The truth is sometimes ugly, but it must be told. Physical violence and death threats were constant and his status as an elected official made little difference. That was in 1870 - 1879.
It is appalling that in 2009, in what many view as the most progressive, educated, socially-interactive, influential city in America, a graphic calling for, condoning, suggesting the killing of our President could appear. I have analyzed it from all angles and there is no other conclusion to be drawn. Even should one be uninformed enough to dismiss that, at the very least, it is totally insensitive to the chimp's owner, who is clearly distraught over the death of her 'best friend' and the Life-altering injuries inflicted on her neighbor by the chimp 'gone wild'. Native people do not believe that animals were created for the entertainment of humans. If they are forced to be other than their inherent character, that is temporary, and they will revert to what they are and their nature mandates. That power over them is one which, I am sure, the Great Spirit never intended. Circuses, bullfights, creatures in captivity doing tricks...in my opinion, that is an abomination.
I went for breakfast at a restaurant nearby and they had copies of today's 'NY Post' on hand near the register. Had I seen them before my meal, I would have said something. But I did speak about it, in clear earshot, of everyone as I paid my check and remarked about it again on my way out of the door. The waitress, who knows me by name, promised to speak to her boss about continuing to carry the 'NY Post'. This 'rag' which did not endorse Mr. Obama for the Presidency, remarked in recent weeks how much of a boon his election has meant for the 'paper' which has printed special pullout sections, full page photo essays, inaugural coverage, Presidential memorabilia ads, etc. They have outdone themselves in trying to gain as much traction ($$$) as they could from his historical and remarkable journey to the White House. But obviously 'boon' still rhymes with 'coon' to them.
We must not allow this to continue. We must all use the power of our voices, our internet, our commonality, our vision for a new America and our money to make the changes we all want to see. Together, we have proven that we are a powerful movement. The time for apathy has passed. Put the hammer down and don't let up until they see that the 'good ole boys' network' is dead and real Americans are the ones killing it. The time (to stamp out racism) is now!
Author: "Native Intelligence"
www.nativeintelligencethebook.com
www.youtube.com Type Lorna Rainey into the Search Bar
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1 comments:
Lorna is well aware of my political views.... However, it is indeed appalling that their still exists this sort of racial profiling and slurs made in public by people of such a well known media source as the 'NY Post'. We each need to stand against this sort of behavior and help others to understand how hurtful and backward this is to each of us living on this planet. I know that Lorna is absolutely right in saying that "We have the power".... We do indeed have the power if we take it upon ourselves to not only demand positive change, but to also shape that positive change by our lifestyles that we choose to participate in.... Lorna knows what I mean by this.... I mean that you can choose to accept things as they are. You can choose to be a slave to the current popular system of living or you can choose to make a stand for what is right and what would make each of us truly live with dignity as truly free people for you, your family, your community and your world.... One important issue that can be brought up here is that you can remain enslaved by a system of economics that keeps you competing against one another as slaves to your institutionalized jobs or we can all make the choice to band together in co-operation to shape our communities and our world.... What is the alternative? Isn't it just the way it is and the way it will always be? You may ask.... The alternative is to be self sustainable (as in the old ways of our ancestors) and stop using the economic system that so surely enslaves you. The only reason it remains the "way it is".... is because we allow it to be so.... If all people had to survive off their own land and environment, they all would be more respectful and aware of just how important everything is in nature.... They wouldn't rape the land or pollute it.... We would again live free from economic worries. Think about how much sweat and worry goes into making money and paying taxes. It is only necessary when we all choose to participate with such.... We can band together to form our own sustainable communities in order to support each other in making such transition.... only if we will.
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