A bright, warn evening is underway following days of damp chill. The mosquitoes have backed off a little and people are out enjoying the fading day.
This morning we listened to a repeat broadcast of an On Point program about Native America and the myriad ways mainstream culture misunderstands the diversity of Native Experience. One of the themes that arose was that of danger and passing. The central theme of that segment was simple: Native families who could frequently passed as European. Often enough they told their children they were Native but also emphasized that being Native was dangerous and it was best to assimilate.
This brief segment caught my attention because, as long-time readers of this blog may remember, it fit my experience. Until they died, my parents and grandparents reminded us to be proud of being Native and refused to give us any details about our tribal heritage. They, like many Native families in the East, encouraged their young to pass, even going so far as to put “Caucasian” on everyone’s birth certificate for at least three generations.
Today being Memorial Day my thoughts turned to my father who fought in three wars, and my favorite cousin who served in the Marines in more peaceful times. They were fiercely proud of their service, even as they, and especially my father, did their best to hide their Indian identities. This was because, although Native people have served the United States with honor for many generations, it has traditionally been problematic to be identified as Native. My father often emphasized that it was best to be quiet about our Indian identity, going so far as to decline opportunities to attend officers’ training school least the secret get out. I doubt anyone sin the military knew that our family is Native.
For a short while in the last decade it increasingly seemed that one’s willingness to serve was what really mattered in the military. Now the politics of identity have returned, age-old prejudices reignited by politicians whose hero is Andrew Jackson, that great American perpetrator of genocide on Indian people. My dad was hopeful for our country, even as he warned us kids that racism always seems to return. On this Memorial day, even as I miss him, I am glad he is not here to witness the ascendance of so much he risked his life to eradicate.
Dreaming the World 
I was shocked to stand with the University choir at our town Memorial Day ceremony and hear speeches that were unanimously and unabashedly Christian nationalist, completely ignoring Jewish, Muslim, atheist, Native and others who gave their lives in military service to protect our Constitutional freedoms…like freedom from religion. There is definitely an agenda in the current federal administration to try to establish a religious dominance and make this country dangerous for non-Christians. I really felt that today, participating in this town’s ceremony for the first time. Of course, I can “pass” as Christian because I was, for 47 years. I know all the words to the hymns, I remember praying aloud extemporaneously with the same kind of language. I am only recently aware of how ostracizing it feels to be told to bow my head in a public place and pray to a god who I no longer believe exists and whom I wouldn’t worship if he did. Add to that the presence of a gun salute, and it feels even more dangerous and violent.
Yes, there is much hatred and danger afoot. Interestingly, there is every reason to believe that those who hold a narrow view of the sacred are in a rapid decline. We shall soon see whether their authority declines with them. I often wonder what Jesus would say to them should he indeed return.
Thanks, Michael, for continuing to teach me things I need to know. It sure is hard to be a parent of children who are in a minority.
Sure is! Of course, it is just plain hard to be a parent these days.
Thank you Michael, while not Native, I think those who served would agree with you. And I wonder what they might be saying if they are able.
Jennie, I, too wonder these things. I suspect we would get an ear full.
sweet sharing, Michael!
yes, these are sad days.
native wisdom offers hope
of humans living in harmony.
if only others would listen 🙂
Yes, as do the truths of many traditions. We are all in this soup together!