womenssports
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Each generation can benefit from previous ones and vice-versa. Also, often they don't agree on what actions will make a difference for the better. I think the BIG thing that keeps being said here is that these students should be doing other things to further the cause of Native Americans or some have even mentioned general issues that affect us all (though I am sure not everyone agrees on the general issues mentioned as the politics on here are diverse). I just don't understand how anyone who has said they should be working on other things KNOWS what they have done, are doing or are in their plans. Personally, I work on many different social and political issues and have been involved in groups which worked on many issues and one might bring about more attention and people say the same as most of you are saying....work on something more important (well, that is those of you who feel that Native Americans as an ethnic group have problems and further have problems that are perpetuated by society as well as the government).
For the record, I have seen an article by a professor or graduate student at OU, (I wish I would have favored it, because I can't find now), but he was definitely in is 30's and he made a great argument for what this group is doing regarding Boomer/Sooner.
I would say again the same arguments against these students is analogous to the ones made in the last year regarding the confederate flag being flown over state capitols and monuments of confederate heroes on public land. People are saying this is our heritage it has nothing to do with slavery, racism, etc. BUT just because it does not offend you does not mean it does not offend many other people, especially blacks. And that flag does perpetuate racism sometimes subtly and sometimes very overtly. And it is certainly used by some on their pick-ups or homes to show their feelings about blacks. I have worked with clients in S.W. Oklahoma City and there was no question what that flag symbolized.
Finally, just because you are Native American and have assimilated well
does not mean that is true of all Native Americans, obviously. Plus, it doesn't mean all people accept you. In 1981, I was in Enid, Ok., and
a very, very rich friend of mine dated a white man with no class, no decent job, think he had a child but did not spend time with her but her parents were fine with him. Then a Native American with a college degree
and a good job with an oil company in Denver came to see her. They had worked at the same oil company in Oklahoma City. Her dad was adamant about her not dating him. Now her father was considered the greatest guy in
the world by people in town. And he was a bigot. I remember she had a black male friend that she went to the movies with but could not tell her parents. THE 1980's!!! And if you believe these same feelings about Native Americans and Blacks are not alive and well today, then you are living in a fog.
AND as far as playing the RACE CARD. PLEASE, it DOES NOT get played nearly as much as it should because racism is here. It is here and LOUD AND PROUD since OBAMA was elected. In 1989, a small firm I worked for sued Ponca City Public Schools and a particular principal over his throwing this a small 9 yo black girl around. The thing was this guy was a typical bigot in his position. He would take clothes to low income blacks and do other such things, but when he was angry, it was blacks that he took it out on and she hadn't been the first. Getting anyone to talk on the record though was tough. One reason was people not wanting to lose their jobs in the school system or at Conoco Refinery, the big employer in Ponca City. I have been in schools in Ok., in jails, in courts and blacks, Native Americans, and poor whites are treated much differently than middle class whites and rich whites...FORGET IT. They often don't even have to go to court on spousal abuse, dui, etc. I also think those that say they are not racist but do not bother to look and see the racism prevalent in the U.S. help perpetuate the racism. You know the saying: If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
HERE IS a good article:
http://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-s-sl...cle_a26febfa-dd70-11e4-8272-ab9a3d7fe780.html
I know I keep saying this is my last post. But since I am the only one on this board that I have seen support their actions, I have a tendency to want to reply to posts. This indigenous group has people of of all ages and ethnicities supporting them. Those people aren't on these boards nor are they being reported in the mainstream media or any media that I have read other than "The Daily" having a guest writer.
AND for the record. I do NOT for a minute believe that Giraffespot does not drink. JUST KIDDING YOUUU
For the record, I have seen an article by a professor or graduate student at OU, (I wish I would have favored it, because I can't find now), but he was definitely in is 30's and he made a great argument for what this group is doing regarding Boomer/Sooner.
I would say again the same arguments against these students is analogous to the ones made in the last year regarding the confederate flag being flown over state capitols and monuments of confederate heroes on public land. People are saying this is our heritage it has nothing to do with slavery, racism, etc. BUT just because it does not offend you does not mean it does not offend many other people, especially blacks. And that flag does perpetuate racism sometimes subtly and sometimes very overtly. And it is certainly used by some on their pick-ups or homes to show their feelings about blacks. I have worked with clients in S.W. Oklahoma City and there was no question what that flag symbolized.
Finally, just because you are Native American and have assimilated well
does not mean that is true of all Native Americans, obviously. Plus, it doesn't mean all people accept you. In 1981, I was in Enid, Ok., and
a very, very rich friend of mine dated a white man with no class, no decent job, think he had a child but did not spend time with her but her parents were fine with him. Then a Native American with a college degree
and a good job with an oil company in Denver came to see her. They had worked at the same oil company in Oklahoma City. Her dad was adamant about her not dating him. Now her father was considered the greatest guy in
the world by people in town. And he was a bigot. I remember she had a black male friend that she went to the movies with but could not tell her parents. THE 1980's!!! And if you believe these same feelings about Native Americans and Blacks are not alive and well today, then you are living in a fog.
AND as far as playing the RACE CARD. PLEASE, it DOES NOT get played nearly as much as it should because racism is here. It is here and LOUD AND PROUD since OBAMA was elected. In 1989, a small firm I worked for sued Ponca City Public Schools and a particular principal over his throwing this a small 9 yo black girl around. The thing was this guy was a typical bigot in his position. He would take clothes to low income blacks and do other such things, but when he was angry, it was blacks that he took it out on and she hadn't been the first. Getting anyone to talk on the record though was tough. One reason was people not wanting to lose their jobs in the school system or at Conoco Refinery, the big employer in Ponca City. I have been in schools in Ok., in jails, in courts and blacks, Native Americans, and poor whites are treated much differently than middle class whites and rich whites...FORGET IT. They often don't even have to go to court on spousal abuse, dui, etc. I also think those that say they are not racist but do not bother to look and see the racism prevalent in the U.S. help perpetuate the racism. You know the saying: If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
HERE IS a good article:
http://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-s-sl...cle_a26febfa-dd70-11e4-8272-ab9a3d7fe780.html
I know I keep saying this is my last post. But since I am the only one on this board that I have seen support their actions, I have a tendency to want to reply to posts. This indigenous group has people of of all ages and ethnicities supporting them. Those people aren't on these boards nor are they being reported in the mainstream media or any media that I have read other than "The Daily" having a guest writer.
AND for the record. I do NOT for a minute believe that Giraffespot does not drink. JUST KIDDING YOUUU
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