GENOCIDE The DELIBERATE and SYSTEMATIC EXTERMINATION of a National, Political, Racial, or CULTURAL GROUP. It appears to me the “MEDIA”, has triggered a movement to eradicate the MEMORY, of our Native American Culture. We now see few movies featuring the “INDIAN”. Westerns we all watched, most of the time, featured the Indian in a fashion that could be interpreted in a bad light. The Massacre of Custer’s troops. Attacking wagon trains, etc. etc. Then we also had the ones which showed the other side the “Indians” who worked as Scouts for the Calvary. SACAGAWEA, Who was instrumental in the movement to push the boundaries of the United States to the Pacific Ocean. Without her, the USA may have ended at the Mississippi River. Let’s not forget the “INDIANS” who befriended the first SETTLERS, and saved their live by teaching them how to grow keeps in this “Untamed Land”. We had Tonto, faithful companion to The Lone Ranger, NOT just a companion, BUT actually his life saver. And many more. In reality many of us wanted to be the “INDIAN” when we played Cowboys and “INDIANS”. We admired the family values, they depicted. We appreciated their courage. Their tenacity to hold on to their Land and way of LIFE. WHO? Among us would not FIGHT to defend our LAND, OUR WAY OF LIFE. We took away their Land, Food, and most likely their dignity. We moved them around, for our convenience. Put them on little parcels of land called RESERVATIONS. Before we came this whole country was theirs. They welcomed us with open arms, and we treated them badly. Now the NCAA and PRO Sports, even our Primary Schools, are wanting to abolish the use of any reference of the “INDIAN”. I know of a small town about 20 miles from where I live, began as an “INDIAN” village. The school there taught them our ways, and took their name as the school’s nickname. Thanks to school consolidation, the town has only an elementary school, but still carries the “INDIAN” name. The meaning has several interpretations today, from the native name of a type of TREE, to what they called EELS. HISTORY LOST. But ask any of the alumni, or any of the townspeople. They are proud of the that name regardless of what it means. By removing the last remnants, the team NICKNAMES, and MASCOTS; the GENOCIDE, of our Native Americans will move closer to being nothing more than a footnote in history. These Mascots, (even if not exactly accurate), remind of the American Heritage. There were many Tribes. Few of us know more than a handful of their names. But with the Colleges, Pro, and Primary Schools, we find our last tributes, to the brave native people who settled here long before “”AMERICANS”‘, thought of coming here. What people are missing is this. The names were given with respect and admiration. Whether, like the nickname of the school previously mentioned, (remember the tree, or eel, or whatever it meant). Or a local tribe, or chief, or warrior. They remain as a reminder, lest we forget… If you have noticed I used quotation marks each time I wrote “INDIAN”. American should be used. The word “INDIAN” came about because Chris Columbus thought he was in INDIA. In conclusion, I think removing these last few reminders, of the REAL American, would be an absolute tragedy. That Is How I See It. Views: 124
Tag: Respect
Hat Can Tell About You
Hats can tell a lot about men. Many times men wear hats because they are unable to come to grips with thinning hair. Or being bald. Some wear hats as a symbol of their faith, Some wear hats because it is part of their employment uniform, Some wear hats because they like to advertise a favorite brand, (without compensation, HECK they even pay for the privilege). Whether they admit it or not they may wear a certain style of hat because, “Dad wore one of these”. Now I have never been one to wear hats, I wore one because it was part of my baseball uniform, then part of my softball uniform, (It does help keep the sun out of one’s eyes. I even wear it a little off to the side when the sun is coming from a different angle. I wore one while in the military. Again because it was part of my uniform, I wore one during my two year stint as a plumber, (YOU really need one here to keep the cooties out of your hair). I wear one to support the schools teams. But unless I have a reason I won’t wear one. Mostly during the summer I only wear one when it rains. This is because it helps keep the rain off my glasses, and I can see better. So there are places for a hat. One reason I never liked hats is because, as a young lad I usually seen bald people wear hats. I equated this with hats, Hats keep your hair from getting the air it needs to grow, and holds in sweat. Thus it must kill hair. Can’t say I’m wrong. My brother lost his hair at a lot younger age than I have started. (He always wore a hat). But there are places for hats. I was raised to take your hat off when entering a building. You rarely see men do this anymore. But It is the proper thing to do. After all there is no rain inside no hot sun beating down. MEN take off your hat. It is a show of respect to the people around you. to your host, (Note a barn is a different story, as is a garage, when working with something over your head). But the thing that really IRKS me is the inconsiderate men who apparently had no proper upbringing, are so uncouth as to place their hat on the eating table. When in a restaurant or somewhere I see this…. I just want to go over and smack the guy up along the side of his head and teach him something called manners. What kind of person would do this thing. Perhaps someone raised by animals. Someone who never had a proper example set. One who disrespects his fellow man. When you see someone put their hat on the table it tells me this person was probably raised by slobs. Maybe their Mother’s tried but they didn’t have respect for their mother, or family mothers. This is the first thing that comes to my mind. It is a reflection of your parents. So if you don’t mind people thinking your mother was a slob. Then I guess you will continue to place your hat on the table. As for me. I remove my hat when entering a building, At restaurants, I sometimes leave my hat in the truck. When I go in I remove my hat, and put it in the sleeve of my jacket so I don’t lose it. If I have no jacket I place it on my knee. You see my mother was no slob. I was taught right. Hat on ONE slap. Hat off a kiss. That Is How I See It. PS: For some of you. It really wouldn’t hurt to change the oil on your hat once in a while. Views: 481
Smoke No Smoke
This is my experience with smokers. My Dad smoked. Sometimes Pipes, sometimes Cigarettes. He sometimes rolled his own with Velvet tobacco. He died of Emphyzema. But I do remember the sweet smell the pipe gave off. My Brother smoked. He finally gave up the habit. After two bypass surgeries. Now the aroma of the Pipe depended on the tobacco used. But I remember the smell was not as good when it was wrapped in paper. They both smoked Chesterfields. and sometimes Lucky Strikes, Probably my brothers choice because it was easier to sneak one of Dad’s. Later he switched to the mentholated Kools. I remember they spent 2o cents a pack. We farmed for a living and I have no idea what percentage of our income that amounted to. As for myself I had always been told how bad the habit was, for my health. So If I knew this back then. I really have little compassion for those who sue tobacco companies and say “I didn’t know they were bad for me.” Anyway I never smoked. I got more than my share from second hand smoke. Also I had better things to spend my money on. What little I had. I remember, as a lad, my uncle had a a regulation pool table in his basement. The door was always open anytime we wanted to play. The only rule that applied to my family was ‘NO SMOKING”. I know if it had been necessary other rules would have been, “NO ALCOHOL’ and ‘NO CUSSING’ etc. I remember one time when my Aunt and Uncle were away for a week. My brother decided it would be okay to smoke, no one would know. WRONG !! My Aunt walked in a week later and demanded “Who has been smoking in my house”. We wondered, ” how did she know?” Years later when I got married and had my own house I found out. Tobacco stinks. Being around it all those years I didn’t know the difference. So knowing how bad it smells and being able to smell it on people who either smoke or are around smoking….well. I feel sorry for children who have to breathe their parents second hand smoke. I think, “Don’t the parents care about the danger they are exposing their children to.” Not to mention they have to go to school smelling like that too. Now you have the right to smoke if you choose. I just ask you be considerate of others. And I am seeing more signs of smokers respecting the rights of those of us who choose not to smoke. Thank YOU very much. In parting let me give you a couple of examples. I was in a restaurant, near the door they had allotted 5 booths for non-smokers. The rest of the restaurant, including the coveted spots near the fireplace, were designated Smoking area. After I sat down a man came in sat down behind me IN the non-smoking area and lit up one of those little cigar cigarette thingies. I politely pointed out this was a non-smoking area, and the rest of the restaurant he had at his disposal. He said, “I’ll be done in just a minute.” I let it rest. Then he lit up another. The waitress told him he had to move if he wanted to smoke. He refused. The manager told him the same thing. He just sat there and lit up another. Now I have to say this is extremely rare. But there are people out there like this. Now to a better example. Again in a restaurant we were seated in an area that made a tee. there was no separation. in reality, but the smoking and non-smoking were side by side. The gentleman sitting in the smoking area was perfectly right to light up. But he smoked those generic cigarettes that stink even more than brand names. I could have probably tolerated a brand name cigarette. But the odor was really bad. So I just turned to him, and said, “Do you smoke while you are eating?” He said, “No.” I then said. “Why do you smoke when I am eating.” He looked at me and said, ” I never thought about it that way.” He proceeded to put his cigarette out and thanked me for letting him know. This is how more smokers are becoming. Respectful of our right to not smoke. And I respect their right to smoke. I could go on and on. But I think you all get my point. I do have one last question for the ladies. Why do you buy expensive sweet smelling perfumes and then cover it up with smoke smell? That Is How I See It. Views: 107
