Just wanted to say that my prayers may have been answered. I've been praying for the radical "D" people to make their "Last Stand" at some point. And finally there seem to be an indication of an upcoming Last Stand!
This morning I ran into a blog site, issuing a call to make the last stand. How exciting! It could mean we're going to finally witness the fall of extremists, known as capital "D" deaf people. The closed society that we all have come to known and heard so much about will finally fall flat on their back, just the way the General Custer fell down and never got up again.
If you feel so strongly about it then I'd encourage you to put on your $2 yellow t-shirts and march on towards this important historic Last Stand in California. We're going to erect a monument and remember you guys the way we remember General Custer, the party that miscalculated everything and lost badly.
It's quite a bit of an irony because earlier this summer I took my family to visit the very place where General Custer fell. The picture shown here is the actual photo I took up at the Little Bighorn Battle Field, inside of Crow Reservation.
Custer was an arrogant fool too.... I was cheering the native Americans personally. I also recall 'Soldier Blue' and lost all sympathy with the US cavalry.
ReplyDeleteGee... MM. THAT's wonderful. I rooted for the Native Americans too. Unfortunately, you aren't cheering for the underdogs this time around, and neither is the author of this blog.
ReplyDeleteShel, as usual, your comment reflected what you actually know about history. The Native Americans were not the underdogs back then as most people, like yourself, would think. Several tribes amassed together in great numbers and surprised General Custer. Even better, he made several strategic mistakes. One, the peacock effect, thinking his reputation was going to frighten the Native Americans. Two, he did not wait for two other regimes. He went ahead and started a battle and lost badly.
ReplyDeleteNow this parallels with you and your $2 yellow t-shirt society. You tried the peacock effect. It, evidently, is not working. You are trying to do the impossible without the backing of deaf people as whole. Therefore the status of being an underdog is a fault of your own.
And lastly, there are two kinds of people. One learns before making mistakes. The other learns after making mistakes. You, like Custer are the latter kind.
Go figure.
The Native Americans may have massacred Custer's Army at the Battle of Little Big Horn, but in the end, the government managed to commit linguistic, cultural (and nearly ethnic as well) genocide using it's legislative and military might along with tons of money. See another example of attempted genocide of Native Americans: The Trail of Tears (Cherokees). Therefore, the Native Americans were the true underdogs.
ReplyDeleteThe parallel here is amazing. The Deaf are fighting against the government attempts to commit linguistic and cultural genocide. Except this time, the military isn't involved at all.
Speaking of collaborators... The Native Americans had their collaborators, and we Deaf have our collaborators. You, sir, are an excellent example of what a collaborator is. You stand on the side of the governmental attempts to eradicate our language and culture, just as Custer stood for the government. The only difference between you and Custer is that he was NOT a collaborator, but an oppressor.
Instead of helping the Deaf community, and becoming part of the solution, you take potshots on those who are dedicated to ensuring that Deaf children get access to bilingual education via two languages.
Congratulations on being part of the problem instead of being part of the solution.
History:
ReplyDeleteThe Indian Removal Act of 1830.
Battle of Little Bighorn, 1876.
If the Indian Removal Act was successful, how then can you say they weren't underdogs?
Now, tell me, who is failing history?
Shel, I'm not sure why you said the Native Americans MAY HAVE massacred Custer's Army at the Battle of Little Big Horn. They did massacre Custer's army.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to fail reality check as well, on what actually happened to the Native Americans in the end. You're as white and ignorant as a white man can get, seriously. You clearly lack the folklife (hands on experience) quality. Because of that you are only able to restate what you might have learned from the white man's society and their schools.
After visiting the Little Bighorn Battle Field I was invited to a friend's house who told me the REAL story behind the Little Big Horn Battle. He is a Native American Elder, a reputed Spiritual Leader and Medicine Man of his people. He went on to tell me many of the things that the government run and operated historic sites does not tell us. This Elder's very own grandfather served as a scout for the U.S. Soldiers. He's shown me the very uniform, coat, halters, and head bonnet that was worn by his grandfather. He knew all the history and details of the battle because he heard it directly from the men that were at the battle.
Shel, try and tell me what happened in the end, according to what you learned from the white man's society and schools. I know better than to listen to your sources.
In the end the government failed, miserably, to commit linguistic, cultural and ethnic cleansing. The government want you to believe that they've been wiped out but if you had the courage to walk into these reservations and mingle with the very people whose relatives fought many battles and sit in the sweat lodge ceremonies and participate in their ceremonies you will learn differently. Their culture is very much alive. Their language is very much alive and in use. In all of the ceremonies I've been to they have ALWAYS spoken their native language, Indian Sign Talk even when they are aware of my presence.
After visiting the people of Crow and North Cheyenne, we went up to visit with the Cree Nation. There, we met with reputed Elders who were also Spiritual Advisors and Medicine Men. They spoke in Cree's native language for the entire ceremony. Their culture were very much in demonstration through out the time.
The same was true when we traveled onto Alberta and visited with some of our friends at Metis Settlement near Lac La Biche. We were fortunate enough to have been invited to a pipe ceremony with a very respected Elder, a Spiritual Advisor and Medicine Man. He spoke in his native language. Their culture was very much alive as well.
Attempted genocide of Native Americans? Sure. But were they successful at it? Naturally not. The Cherokee turned out to be a very successful tribe today, accumulating so much political status today, not to mention education and wealth. The story of Trail of Tears were created by the white men, who wanted to paint a picture of their demise. These white men wanted you to believe that the Native Americans were the underdogs. It's unfortunate for you to continue to believe them. Come out of your comfort zone (white man's society) and learn the facts.
The same will be true for deaf people. We'll never be out of existence. Our language and culture will never be destroyed. Go ahead and fight the government all you want and the government can try and fight you all they want. Nobody can change the fact that everybody's culture and language are here to stay, no matter how large or small we might be.
You see, unlike you, I choose my battles wisely. There are many ways to help the deaf community. Touting ASL as the only and the best option is not only way to help them.
Having said this, I'll congratulate you for being the narrow minded individual that you are. Your mindset is so narrow that you could fall off it at any moment.
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteYou failed history as soon as you talked about the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and applied it to the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a general act that was created for some of the southern tribes and was blanketed into additional territories. This particular act had very little to do with Little Bighorn Battle. Do your homework and you'll learn why.
FYI, the Indian Removal Act was successful in white man's eye but it was so unsuccessful in Native American's eye. They failed miserably but then you would not know it because you were educated by the white man's society. It boils down to what you want to believe and it's clear what you've choose to believe. I just am not that vulnerable.
Sorry Edward Nugget. Your comment did not make it here because you assumed that I prayed to many different Gods. You watch too much movies. There's only one God, the one and the same that we pray to. You seem to indicate that there are many Gods that we could have prayed to, which is your reality, not mine. My reality is there is only one God, the one and the same. I feel for you, Edward and hope you find the light.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who prayed to the dead spirits doesn't walk in the light.
ReplyDeleteEdward,
ReplyDeleteI do not pray to dead spirits so what's your point? Never said anything about it either. FYI, spirits means exactly that, spirits. They are neither alive or dead. Duh.
"Touting ASL as the only and the best option"
ReplyDeleteQuite the prevaricator, aren't ya?
You know, after reading your responses several times, I have come to the conclusion that you are seriously not worth our time. You make no sense and lack credibility for such a discussion and for that, I refrain from further participation in this debate.
Meeting people is one thing but living a season alone in the wilderness, apart from modern conveniences, is an enriching experience that no one but the Great Spirit can provide. This is a Truth of the Simple Life Way.
Asquali, Kawquai
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteTouting ASL as the only and the best option is exactly what your party have been doing since they drafted AB 2072. Prevaricator yourself. Shameful.
I never claimed to be worth anybody's time. I'm just a v/blogger with an opinion. Why you continue to visit my v/blogs is beyond me. Oh I know. You're worried about what the rest of the world are going to read and you want to try and control things. That's quite typical of people within the closed society. I needn't say more.
Living through seasons alone in the wilderness is not foreign to me. In fact, I'd invite you to some of the remote ranches I've been to for many seasons, being so far away from civilizations. Been there many times through the years. In many cases the nearest stores were hundred miles away if not more. A truly enriching experience that I've been blessed with, thanks to the Great Spirit. And yes, this is a Truth of the Simple Life Way, something you evidently don't know very much about. Otherwise you would not be so worried about the death of Deaf World and the closed society you're so fond of.
~ kamiyawâtamihk
Keep talking.
ReplyDeleteNaturally Jeff. It's my blog. It's so easy, even a deaf person could do it!
ReplyDeleteJeff, here's a friendly reminder. My son did a video some time ago, stating how easy it was that even a deaf person could do it.
ReplyDeleteClick Here To See The Video
Enjoy.
Great blog, Barry. I have strong respect for the native American.
ReplyDeleteGood blog. I, too, am more appreciative of Native American Indians nowadays knowing the crap they had to go through. It's quite exciting to find out I have both Cherokee and Powhattan Indian blood in me. Even the Powhattan line my ancestor goes directly to Chief Powhattan, the father of "Pocahontas."
ReplyDeleteExciting, Mike. I think people ought to pick up on whatever Native blood they might have, no matter how small or large, and learn what they can about their tribes, especially the culture and traditions. My wife Crystal has at least 1/16 Chickasaw blood in her and she's beginning to pick up on that as well. She has some really good mentors to help her, which is always nice. Cherokee and Powhattan are two of the most interesting tribes. Pocahontas, now that's special. Thanks for sharing. I probably have zero Native blood in me but I'm as red as you can get, according to many of my Native friends. Few weeks ago I was officially adopted by a Medicine Man and Spiritual Advisor with the Cree Nation. That was truly special for me. Will v/blog about it one of these day. Thanks Mike for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Barry. You make the History lesson to be much more colorful and beautiful. Can't wait to read more blogs about how much you've known more about the Native Indians and its History.
ReplyDelete-Laura
Hi Laura. Yes, I have much to share with others, especially on what I've learned of Native Americans and their traditions and culture. Understanding the Native Americans will help us deaf people understand our issues as well. I wish I had more time on my hand so that I'm able to v/blog more than I've been able to. There will be time for that, as I learn to live my life one day at a time. Really appreciate people's patience. Thanks for posting here.
ReplyDelete