Agreed. As a Native Male, I cant go anywhere, without someone giving me that glance or stare, wanting to say something, but if I wore any Jewelry, Feathers, or Paint or Tattoos signifying my Race and Culture: Living in Seattle, they would immediately feel its okay to ask me a thousand questions? I dont go up to White Anglo-Saxon Women who dress up like Barbie or Men who look like a Ken Dolls, saying are you in Movies, a Model, or in Entertainment. All I want, is to live like my Ancestors without having to explain my Culture, my Tribe, and/or hear how they know someone who is an Indian. In my Lifetime, Ive had a least 10,000 obviously not American Indians swear they are part of the Cherokee Tribe. Not one, ever pulls out their Tribal Picture Id which I carry, like my Drivers License and Credit Cards which have my name: Thunder Mountain. Ive got to the point, when this whole conversation starts, politely, I ask them, Oh, that is Great. Can I see your Cherokee Enrollment Card. Then the other look and conversation starts: Im trying to find out who I can get enrolled, can you help me? I tell them, first, their are (3) major District Cherokee Tribes. And, their are 566 total Federally Recognized Tribes in the United States, and that doesnt include our Brothers and Sister in Canada, who are First Nations peoples, not American Indians. They look dazed an confused, like Im suppose to Carry a Camera, Printer and just Approve them on the Spot? I tell them to contact their Local B.I.A. Regional Office, they deal with Enrollment Issues, not this Indian who is just trying to buy some Bananas and Huckleberry Yogurt. (I will say this though. In Hawaii, no one wore Clothing, especially me. I ran around for Ten Years without a Shirt, no Shoes, just Board Shorts. I was Tan, Fit and looked like a Wild Indian. I fit in real well with everyone, including the Hawaiians who grew up this way) When I came back to Washington State in 2013, I couldnt believe all the Women wore clothing, especially Boots....the other thing: Women actually wore Make up and everyone looked so White? Even those who have White Skin in Hawaii arent White anywhere! Go Hawaii.. Charlotte whos doing the judging. Thank you for commenting. I guess, maybe my words werent clear to you. In the Country, I was born, as a Native American Indian. I cant live or dress like my Ancestors, without being shamed into Societies reflection of what I should look like, should dress like and how I should act. I liked being almost 100% naked in Hawaii most of the time. I was awesome. Most Stores and Rest. are cool with their customer not wearing shoes or shirt... What are you going to get dressed an put on socks and shoes, just because you got off the beach? Nope, not me. As to Hawaiians had a King...Thats past tense. What the Hawaians I lived with on the Waianae Coast of Oahu, in Makaha...These were the Locals..not TOWNIES in Downtown Honolulu, or working in some Hotel or living in a Condo... This is real Hawaii and Charlotte, I looked like a Native, whether that be Hawaiian, Polynesian or American Indian or just a Tropics boy, playing like a kid: Not judged in Hawaii, but on the Mainland, again, judged everyday. Your White Charlotte and thats Okay, so was my Dad. But Charlotte, I cant imagine for one Moment, what it is like to be born with Black Skin, or look and dress like a Muslim in the 20th or 21st Century..Heck Charlotte, I cant even imagine what it is like to be born Asian, unless you have experienced their Racial Profiling, I hope you find it in your Heart as a human being to accept them as they are, not the Color of their Skin...Charlotte all opinions are welcome...99% of the Hawaiians who I spoke with regarding American Indian benefits didnt understand, we have our own Government in the USA... We elect our own Leaders...They could, if the Federal Government, would today, give them Federal Recognition like the American Indian. Until this happens and they are able to Form their own Governments on each Island, whether they Elect a King...A Chairman. A President, whatever they decide.. I support them...This wont happen until by Presidential Executive Order, we have a President to makes Hawaiians Federally Recognized as a Distinct and Valid Indigenous Group, the Hawaiians will be Screwed everyday, even on Sunday.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 06:41:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015