A proposed National Commandment that states, “We Shall Not Speak Ill Of Another Indian”. A “commandment”- how colonial, how Biblical-almost puritanical like those boat people who washed up on the shores of this country.
The latest variation on unity and absolution is to not speak ill of another Indian.
I wonder to what extent this is meant to be taken?
Does it apply to tribal government members who embezzle, commit fraud, and nepotism?
Does it apply to rapists and pedophiles who haunt indigenous communities, or thieves who steal from their own people?
Does this apply for instance to Banks, who certainly has nothing other than “ill” to speak of those who stole his pots?
The manner in which this is presented always has some association with the abduction, rape, and murder of Annie Mae-likewise with Wind chases himself, Peltier, and the so called “land warrior” Graham.
One is to believe that in speaking “ill”, irregardless of whether it is based on truth is somehow
disingenuous, divisive-the reality is that in failing to confront and address these “ills” and calling out those who perpetrate them is tantamount to validating them.
United we stand divided we fall? There is a truth in that-but if speaking other truths leads to division then so be it, for the failure to do so has led to the conditions to be found on any rez today.
No unity can exist when thieves, liars, murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gangs, drugs, and the physical abuse of women and children not only exist but are commonplace.
No unity can exist when these things are allowed sufferance and continuation under the aegis of unity and speaking no ill.
No unity can exist as long as a single organization or individual sets them self above the people, turns a blind eye, or champions a single cause or person that is counter productive.
The logic behind this is fatally flawed for the intent and result is to selectively condone acts that are entirely beyond the realm of tradition on the one hand and at the same time walk and talk about the conditions that result from them.
The welfare of the nations is better served by those who speak the truth than those who rely on oft repeated slogans and endless talk of warriors. Warriors address issues-they don’t ignore them, or leave it to women and the survivors of victims to shoulder the burden alone.
In this age of “transparency” this is about as transparent as it gets. Not just transparent, but exceedingly “colonial”.
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