I am very ashamed of the way we treated the Indian people, and sadly all people of color... or anyone we judge as "different" as if each if each of us is not an amazing unique creation, yet in the same breath proclaim ourselves a great Christian nation.
Jesus was not "white". According to scripture, He was born within a Jewish family…
I am very ashamed of the way we treated the Indian people, and sadly all people of color... or anyone we judge as "different" as if each if each of us is not an amazing unique creation, yet in the same breath proclaim ourselves a great Christian nation.
Jesus was not "white". According to scripture, He was born within a Jewish family. He was accused of being a criminal by the Pharisees and executed by the Roman government. Yet He commanded "peace"," love one another as I have loved you and gave up myself for you...."
If we are of this faith, though imperfect we can read about and witness the gradual and or sudden transformation of those who truly work to live out their faith also asking forgiveness many times when we know we have spoken hurtful words or done things we know within our beings are wrong. Other faiths also practice acts of goodness and kindness: Indians (remember the story of how they helped the first European explorers to survive their first harsh winter and the Indian woman who lead Lewis and Clark to the west coast of our country....and also the use of native language during World War II as code to send important secret messages to our troops. We have fought side by side for our freedoms: people of all colors, tribes,,,,etc, for Freedom and we must continue to fight together for this most precious ideal.
I hear much compassion and a call to recognize injustice and "love one another" in very practical ways. At the same time, I am troubled by the "we" in your first sentence, "the way we treated the Indian people." I think that makes it too easy for folks to dismiss this history, and the call for reparation, especially if, like me, their ancestors came from outside the US, and had no connection to the early atrocities. "We didn't do this, so why should we have to pay?" I think a call to reparation requires a more complex connection between present day citizens and the horrific history (even to the present day) of injustice and atrocities committed against people of color in our country.
"We" didn't do it, but "we" benefited and still benefit from the seizure of indigenous lands and the genocide of the indigenous people. We need to acknowledge that, not to beat ourselves up but to at least recognize whose land we are on and ensure that we are not contributing to their continued oppression.
Thank you Allen. That is exactly what I meant by a more complex connection between present day citizens and the horrific history.... It's another messaging challenge, so that more and more of us see the need for full justice.
Yes, Chaplin Terry. As a mom to teenage children, and as a Christian, I wanted them to learn to serve others and to learn to love and respect all people. We helped to repair homes in the mountains of NC. We spoke with one of the Indian families there. It was at the time when casinos had been approved. The couple were strong and faithful
christians. They were opposed to casinos but they made this comment, "....but maybe our little Indian children will have shoes." A culture. a language, a home. land or the ability to move from place to place to hunt....the introduction of alchohol....horrors!
We can not understand until we get to know one another.....and even then we cannot know the horror of being treated with an attitude of disgust....unless we experience it.
Thank you Emily. I love hearing about the hands-on, in person way that you are educating your children about love and service and respect for the "others." Your personal story can go a long way to expanding understanding, and with that a growing call for justice and reparation.
I am very ashamed of the way we treated the Indian people, and sadly all people of color... or anyone we judge as "different" as if each if each of us is not an amazing unique creation, yet in the same breath proclaim ourselves a great Christian nation.
Jesus was not "white". According to scripture, He was born within a Jewish family. He was accused of being a criminal by the Pharisees and executed by the Roman government. Yet He commanded "peace"," love one another as I have loved you and gave up myself for you...."
If we are of this faith, though imperfect we can read about and witness the gradual and or sudden transformation of those who truly work to live out their faith also asking forgiveness many times when we know we have spoken hurtful words or done things we know within our beings are wrong. Other faiths also practice acts of goodness and kindness: Indians (remember the story of how they helped the first European explorers to survive their first harsh winter and the Indian woman who lead Lewis and Clark to the west coast of our country....and also the use of native language during World War II as code to send important secret messages to our troops. We have fought side by side for our freedoms: people of all colors, tribes,,,,etc, for Freedom and we must continue to fight together for this most precious ideal.
I hear much compassion and a call to recognize injustice and "love one another" in very practical ways. At the same time, I am troubled by the "we" in your first sentence, "the way we treated the Indian people." I think that makes it too easy for folks to dismiss this history, and the call for reparation, especially if, like me, their ancestors came from outside the US, and had no connection to the early atrocities. "We didn't do this, so why should we have to pay?" I think a call to reparation requires a more complex connection between present day citizens and the horrific history (even to the present day) of injustice and atrocities committed against people of color in our country.
"We" didn't do it, but "we" benefited and still benefit from the seizure of indigenous lands and the genocide of the indigenous people. We need to acknowledge that, not to beat ourselves up but to at least recognize whose land we are on and ensure that we are not contributing to their continued oppression.
Thank you Allen. That is exactly what I meant by a more complex connection between present day citizens and the horrific history.... It's another messaging challenge, so that more and more of us see the need for full justice.
Yes, Chaplin Terry. As a mom to teenage children, and as a Christian, I wanted them to learn to serve others and to learn to love and respect all people. We helped to repair homes in the mountains of NC. We spoke with one of the Indian families there. It was at the time when casinos had been approved. The couple were strong and faithful
christians. They were opposed to casinos but they made this comment, "....but maybe our little Indian children will have shoes." A culture. a language, a home. land or the ability to move from place to place to hunt....the introduction of alchohol....horrors!
We can not understand until we get to know one another.....and even then we cannot know the horror of being treated with an attitude of disgust....unless we experience it.
Thank you Emily. I love hearing about the hands-on, in person way that you are educating your children about love and service and respect for the "others." Your personal story can go a long way to expanding understanding, and with that a growing call for justice and reparation.