Is Redskins a Racist Term?

Dear friends,

The linguist here isn't too bright, in my opinion. Instead of pretending to be an historian, perhaps he should consider his craft: linguistics.

Just as everything else in the Universe, languages either evolve or cease to exist. That is why it is so imbecilic for people to argue against taking the so-called N-word out of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn novel, when in fact the King James version of the Holy Bible now has about a half-dozen versions of that text.

Even words that we used 20 years ago are no longer in use or they have a different meaning. Language is thought. That's why sometimes people will say, "I can't think of a word for it.".

But then, apart from linguistics and history, there is the issue of "morality" - a term that doesn't require religious guidance of any kind. All we have to do is be honest, reasonable, and imaginative. The term "Redskins" is offensive to millions, both indigenous and non-indigenous peoples of the Americas. Therefore, it's really an issue of White Supremacy, euphemistically called Racism. Please remember, "Everyone wants to inherit property - not guilt".

 G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/06/a-linguist-on-why-redskin-is-racist-patent-overturned/373198/ Read full post

Letter from Leonard Peltier about President-elect Obama's HOPE (originally posted 11/8/08)

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse



My Relatives and Friends,

Last night a change in this country took place that not too long ago many people said would never happen. An African-American was elected to the White House and by a major landslide, which gives him a mandate by the public to fulfill his promises.

This landslide indicates the people have placed their hope with this man they call their president for a change in this country. HOPE.

There have been times if I can even recall what it really means to have hope that justice is right around the corner. I've been mislead and disappointed so many times that I would soon see justice and to have it denied upon a technicality in legal appeals. Or like what happened eight years ago. Everyone placed their hope and trust with a couple named Bill and Hillary, but we were betrayed at the last minute. I know that many of my friends, family and supporters were crushed.

I began to feel the weight and pressure of a lifetime being unjustly imprisoned began to crowd me into a corner of my cell and then in my mind. But, it was this thing that has been our battle cry for so many years, "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse". I remembered what he stood for and remained a warrior until his last breath. It is a strength that we stand upon when we are right. We were right to be in Oglala and we were right to be prepared to defend ourselves. What wasn't right is that a jury never got to hear any of this testimony, and the rest of the trial was a product of the fabrication and then manipulation of the FBI.

This spirit of Crazy Horse is a spirit of being in total resistance to the wrongs perpetuated towards your people, community, family and yourself. Some of us called it outrage, but that is just merely an emotion without resolving the issue. It is when we make a conscious choice to try and balance the wrongs in this society that we are being compelled by this spirit of resistance to stand in defense of the wronged.That spirit cannot be conquered, and I refused to submit and give in when it appeared there may be no hope

It was because of the letters of support and encouragement from so many people that I continued on for another eight years. And now people seem to feel there is a change blowing in the wind and that the election of Obama is a manifestation of that change.I sincerely hope so, because I am now 64 years old and coming up on my 33 year of being confined and fighting for justice and my freedom, Obama may be my last chance at securing my freedom. If there is one thing I learned from earlier campaigns on my clemency is that he won't just be able to do it by himself. He is going to need your support in the form of public opinion on the case. That isn't going to happen until we can create education and awareness on the circumstances of my case across this country and send letters.

Be a Branch Support Group to help create public opinion. My case has to be a national issue on justice denied, it may sound easy, but it isn't. The FBI has been an opposing force in attempting to discredit my cause and that of Native people since they focused their attention on the American Indian Movement in the 1970's. When it appeared that Clinton might actually grant clemency, the agents went and demonstrated at the White House and utilized their resources to create doubt in the mind of Clinton. So in the national awareness goals of the branch support groups it is going to be your challenge to keep the public interest focused.

It is also another hope that with a whole generation of people who were born after my wrongful conviction that there will be a renewed source of energy and actions. One point that I would like everyone to focus on right now is a "30 year law" regarding my sentence and parole. At the time I was convicted, the guidelines said:"Any prisoner, …shall be released on parole… after serving thirty years of each consecutive term or terms of more than forty-five years including any life term, whichever is earlier: Provided, however, that the Commission shall not release such prisoner if it determines that he has seriously or frequently violated institution rules and regulations or that there is a reasonable probability that he will commit any Federal, State, or local crime." 28 U.S.C. section 28 U.S.C. §4206(d)

I've served more than 30 years of this sentence and have been considered a model prisoner And the likelihood of committing any crimes is non-existent due to my age and the humanitarian work I've pursued to help my people since my incarceration. According to this law, they have to grant me a parole to my next sentence. But as we've learned from the past, we cannot take anything for granted so your letters should be focused on this law to the parole commission and congressional leaders.

If the commission complies with the letter and spirit of this law, we will have made a significant step towards my freedom and we will need to maintain and increase this momentum.The Committee and I have been discussing several ideas and projects to make this a pro-active campaign. We are currently rebuilding the former LPSG's into LPBSG's. This is necessary due to a breakdown with the former Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. I had to turn to my sister and niece to help me rebuild my defense committee from scratch. We had no files, records, and merchandise. We have not been able to make contact with the former coordinator of the LPDC. We are still hoping to resolve this issue, but until then we needed to keep moving with the campaign.

We still need all of our former contacts and supporters to reconnect with us and to update the information so that my Committee can handle correspondences and contributions. We need everyone who has supported me to contact the LPDOC and sign onto our list serve so that you can be updated with information on progress or activities needed in my campaign.I will need everyone to work with my Committee and clear any action with the appropriate people within the Committee. It is important that we all work together cohesively, instead of scattering our efforts or resources. We do not intend to discourage ideas or creativity, but we would like to incorporate such ideas into a unified larger effort and not act prematurely on some plans we may have not disclosed due to timing or details being worked out.

Some of the projects we have discussed are conducting rides, walks, runs and events across the country to create this awareness of my case. We are initiating efforts to ask bands and artists to host fundraisers in their area. We've talked about strategies we could undertake to further my cause, but a lot will depend on how quickly people come to form my BSG and start organizing in their area. I also understand that some of us have personality issues with other people. I hope that many of you can pray or find a way to rise above this obstacle and work together for one common purpose.

I would like to see so many of my supporters come together in a show of solidarity. If there really is a change in the air, we will need each other to bring about change in so many other areas. For me it has been about our culture and right to be who we are, but foremost it has been the children and the next generation. WE were supposed to leave a better world behind for them and how much have we accomplished? I know that somehow and someway my sacrifice will not be in vain and that the years I've endured this pain of loneliness and suffering in confinement will make a better world for those children and coming generations. That along with my freedom is my hope, but I will not be able to fulfill it without you. So take a few minutes and educate yourself on the injustices of my case. It may shock and outrage you, but you can do something about it, so please join us.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier Read full post

Happy Birthday Greg Wright!!!!

"Sometimes the problem is not with the name, but with the use of mascots and symbols that are stereotypical or downright inaccurate."

"What's in a name - Dignity or Disrespect?"
(originally posted 1/13/10)

by Greg Wright

The Redskins just finished another losing season and owner Dan Snyder has fired Coach Jim Zorn, his sixth coach since buying the team a decade ago.

But fans are skeptical things will get better -- the one-time Super Bowl contending Redskins haven't made it to the playoffs since 2006. In fact, there has been a running joke here in Washington that the Redskins are cursed and their luck will not change until they ditch their name, which has long been considered offensive by Native Americans and other Americans.

It is unlikely this will happen soon. The U.S. Supreme Court in November refused to hear a case brought by a group of Native Americans seeking to ban the name. The highest court in the land said Americans Indians waited too long to challenge the Redskins trademark, forfeiting a right to sue.

It would be nice if Snyder changed the name and not because he thinks the move will bring his bumbling team a winning record. He should do it because it is the right thing to do. How would Snyder, who is Jewish, feel if there was a team called the "Jersey Jewboys" or "Houston Hymies"?
He would be just as offended as Native Americans.

For more than a decade local towns and teams have been changing American Indian team names from derogatory terms such as "squaw" and "redskins" to those that honor Native Americans or different names altogether. This has mostly been done on the.high school and college level --professional sports have largely resisted the trend.

Sometimes the problem is not with the name, but with the use of mascots and symbols that are stereotypical or downright inaccurate. For instance, some Seminole Indians have called the use of live actors to portray the Florida State University mascot Chief Osceola a "minstrel show." These live mascots can also do performances that are cartoonish and dishonor or belittle Native American traditions.

Snyder doesn't even have to leave Washington to get inspiration to change the name. The late Abe Pollin, owner of the Washington, D.C. Bullets, changed the team's to the Wizards in 1995 because he was long concerned about the violence associated with the name.

That shows true class.

The move might also be profitable for Snyder. Think of all the merchandise he could sell with a new team name? And some older Redskins merchandise would become instantly collectible and more valuable.

But for now Redskins management has fought the name change in court. And, ironically, in 1933, the Boston Braves, the football team that eventually moved to Washington, D.C., changed its name to the Boston Redskins to honor coach William "Lon Star" Dietz, who was a Native American.

Funny how time changes what is considered offensive and what is considered correct. Just a few decades ago white performers were still performing in blackface until the Civil Rights Movement largely killed such practices. Why can't we give our Native American brothers and sisters the respect they deserve?
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More about our "allies" in Columbia

Dear friends,

With all of John McCain's talk about the rulers in Columbia being "our allies", we may want t consider keeping in mind the fact that, as Senator Obama pointed out during the debate, Columbia is guilty of all kinds of human rights violations. Moreover, at least to me, it seems that it is easy for us to ignore the plight of Early American Native Peoples. However, many of our ancestors escaped chattel slavery and were accepted into Early American Native groups. As a matter of fact, it is hardly uncommon to hear African Americans, today, talk about having ancestors who were so-called Indians. After all, that is from where the body of folks wo were called the "Seminoles" of Florida came, for example. That is, the group was made up of Early American Natives who brought in African captives who themselves had "run" from, mostly, enslavers' plantations in Georgia...

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Press Release from ACIN on Third Day of Mobilization: Imminent


A call to the Inter American commission of Human Rights, global solidarity and progressive Governments to intervene immediately.

The army has surrounded the approximately 10.000 indigenous protesters and is preparing an assault. A man and a woman have been injured with gunshots. The man was transferred to a Hospital with a wound to his head and signs of decerebration. There are five wounded so far and two indigenous have been captured.

Another native, 23 year old César Hurtado Trochez, was shot to death by 4 men last night as he rested at home in Guadualito, Northern Cauca. This indigenous community member had received no threats and dedicated his life to agriculture. The assassination follows the same pattern as that of Nicolás Valencia, whose funeral is taking place right now. César was not involved in the protest.

We call upon the Inter American commission of Human Rights, global solidarity and progressive Governments to intervene immediately. It is a crime to resist corporate greed in Colombia. It has been a crime to be indigenous for 516 years. Repression and death are the institutional responses to our direct action, to which we are forced by terror, media and legal aggression. This Government is against life, we are forced to resist a regime at the service of corporate greed and when we do, we are murdered and the world watches in silence.

Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca
ACIN

Colombian Military and Police Confronting Indigenous Protesters in Cauca;

Organizers call for solidarity from the international community

The Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, ACIN, reports that today, on the third day of the national mobilization dubbed "Commotion of the Peoples," all the communities gathered in the locality of La Maria, in the department of Cauca, are completely surrounded by the Colombian Army. Apparently, the security forces are preparing to carry out an armed assault against the civilians involved in the protest, which began on Sunday, October 12th. Organizers estimate that there are over 10,000 people currently at La Maria and surrounding areas.

The communities have blocked a portion of the Pan American Highway that connects the cities of Popayn and Santander de Quilichao in the department of Cauca, in an acto f civil disobedience. They are demanding a face to face meeting with the President to discuss the main points on their agenda.

ACIN reports that in the confrontations today, there were at least two indigenous activists severely wounded, with one possibly fatally. Two other indigenous activists from Tierradentro were detained.

Simultaneously, 4 cadavers were transfered from Corinto to the morgue in the town of Caloto. According to ACIN, up to now, local officials have not allowed indigenous authorities in to identify the victims and examine the corpses.

Prior to the mobilization, which was called to protest against the militarization of indigenous territories, the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and the government of Alvaro Uribe, indigenous leaders warned about the potential for this kind of backlash against the movement. That the government declared a state of internal commotion just two days before the start of the protest gave them more reason to be alarmed.

In an urgent communique put out by ACIN a few moments ago, the organization states: “Everything indicates that this criminal government has initiated a massacre as a response to our indigenous resistance!

Spokespersons for ACIN are calling on the world not to serve as accomplices with silence in the face of this criminal regime.

For more information, contact: http://www.nasaacin.org

--
Posted By MAMARadio to MAMA Radio at 10/14/2008 08:00:00 AM
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Open Letter to Barack Obama from Leonard Peltier

Dear friends,

Some of you are already familiar with the longtime prosecution of Leonard Peltier. He is the US version of Nelson Mandela, if there ever was such a person. Only his connection to all of us who embrace human freedom keeps him sane; I am sure...

At any rate, below is a letter that he has written to our dear brother, presidential candidate Barack Obama. Following the letter, there is some information from some of his closest supporters about how to help Brother Peltier.

One Love,
G. Djata Bumpus
******************************************

August 28, 2008

An Open Letter to Barack Obama
Symbolism Alone Will Not Bring Change
By LEONARD PELTIER

I have watched with keen interest and renewed hope as your campaign has mobilized millions of Americans behind your message of changing a political system that serves a small economic elite at the expense of the peoples of the United States and the world. Your election as president of the United States, where slaves and Indians were long considered less than human under the law, will undoubtedly constitute a historic moment in race relations in the United States.

Yet symbolism alone will not bring about change. Our young people, black and Native alike, suffer from police brutality and racial profiling, underfunded schools, and discrimination in employment and housing. I sincerely hope your campaign will inspire some hope among our youth to struggle for a better future. I am, however, concerned that your recent statement on the Sean Bell verdict, in which the New York police officers who fired 50 shots at a young man on the eve of his wedding were acquitted of criminal charges, displays a rather myopic view of the law. Until the law is harnessed to protect the victims of state violence and racism, it will serve as an instrument of repression, just as the slave codes functioned to sustain and legitimize an inhuman institution.

As I can testify from experience, the legal institutions of this nation are far from racial and political neutrality. When judges align with the repressive actions and policies of the executive branch, injustice is rationalized and cloaked in judicial platitudes. As you may know, I have now served more than three decades of my life as a political prisoner of the federal government for a crime I did not commit. I have served more time than the maximum sentence under the guidelines under which I was sentenced, yet my parole is continually denied (on the rare occasions when I am afforded a hearing) because I refuse to falsely confess.

Amnesty International, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama of Tibet, my Guatemalan sister Rigoberta Menchu, and many of your friends and supporters have recognized me as a political prisoner and called for my immediate release. Millions of people around the world view me as a symbol of injustice against the indigenous peoples of this land, and I have no doubt that I will go down in history as one of a long line of victims of U.S. government repression, along with Sacco and Vanzetti, the Haymarket Square martyrs, Eugene Debs, Bill Haywood, and others targeted by for their political beliefs. But neither I nor my people can afford to wait for history to rectify the crimes of the past.

As a member of the American Indian Movement, I came to the Pine Ridge Oglala reservation to defend the traditional people there from human rights violations carried out by tribal police and goon squads backed by the FBI and the highest offices of the federal government. Our symbolic occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973 inspired Indians across the Americas to struggle for their freedom and treaty rights, but it was also met by a fierce federal siege and a wave of violent repression on Pine Ridge. In 1974, AIM leader Russell Means campaigned for tribal chairman while being tried by the federal government for his role at Wounded Knee. Although Means was barred from the reservation by decree of the U.S.-client regime of Richard Wilson, he won the popular vote, only to be denied office by extensive vote fraud and control of the electoral mechanisms. Wilson's goons proceeded to shoot up pro-Means villages such as Wanblee and terrorize traditional supporters throughout the reservation, killing at least 60 people between 1973 and 1975.

It is long past time for a congressional investigation to examine the degree of federal complicity in the violent counterinsurgency that followed the occupation of Wounded Knee. The tragic shootout that led to the deaths of two FBI agents and one Native man also led not only to my false conviction, but also the termination of the Church Committee, which was investigating abuses by federal intelligence and law enforcement agents, before it could hold hearings on FBI infiltration of AIM. Despite decades of attempts by my attorneys to obtain government documents related to my case, the FBI continues to withhold thousands of documents that might tend to exonerate me or reveal compromising evidence of judicial collusion with the prosecution.

I truly believe the truth will set me free, but it will also signify a symbolic break from America's undeclared war on indigenous peoples. I hope and pray that you possess the courage and integrity to seek out the truth and the wisdom to recognize the inherent right of all peoples to self-determination, as acknowledged by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. While your statements on federal Indian policy sound promising, your vision of "one America" has an ominous ring for Native peoples struggling to define their own national visions. If freed from colonial constraints and external intervention, indigenous nations might well serve as functioning models of the freedom and democracy to which the United States aspires.

Yours in the struggle.

Until freedom is won,

Leonard Peltier
# 89637-132
U.S.P. Lewisburg,
P.O. Box 1000,
Lewisburg, PA USA 17837
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Special Note:

Please Help Support the LPDOC for Leonard's Freedom

As Leonard Peltier marks his 64th birthday on Sept. 12, the LPDOC is redoubling its efforts to win his freedom. We are planning an ambitious organizing drive in our new Fargo office to persuade North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, to investigate the federal government's role in the violent counterinsurgency on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1973-1976, the FBI's withholding of thousands of pages of documents related to the AIM activist, and the unfair federal trial in Fargo which led to Leonard's conviction in 1977.

Leonard is suffering from partial blindness, diabetes, a heart condition, high blood pressure, and prostate problems. He needs your help.

We need your help too, if we are to do the work that needs to be done to obtain justice for one of the longest-serving political prisoners in the world. At the moment, we are barely keeping up with our rent and phone bills, our two full-time staff members are working without pay, and we badly need a new photocopier. Due to the damaging actions of a former LPDC employee, who removed valuable office equipment and contributor records, we are rebuilding our committee virtually from scratch. We have found an experienced volunteer editor for our Spirit of Crazy Horse newspaper, but in order to resume publication, we will need your support.

If you are able to contribute $20 or more for this campaign, you will receive a free subscription to the newsletter to keep abreast on developments in Peltier's campaign and in Indian Country generally. Please contribute as generously as you are able, and also take the time to write and/or call Sen. Dorgan With your help, we can win Leonard's freedom from the same city in which it was taken away. Even if you are unable to contribute at this time, please send us your name and address to help us rebuild our list of supporters at the state and national level.

Please send your donation to:

LPDOC
PO Box 7488
Fargo, ND 58106
701-235-2206

Thank You,
Betty Ann Peltier-Solano,
Executive Director
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee


Kari Ann
Co-Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee

www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
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