Minnows Unlimited
Although we are not seeing it reported in the corporate media, a significant number of traditional Native American people are active in the Sanders Revolution. Now, of course that doesn’t mean “all” of them are. Some Indians don’t vote, because they identify as members of sovereign nations. And no doubt, among that sizeable and varied a people, some support Clinton, Trump, and everyone else …..except for probably Ted Cruz.
It is part of the on-going relationship between Indians and “others” in the Americas. In terms of US history, it’s good to read books such as “Red, White, and Black: The peoples of early America,” by Gary B. Nash. In the 1960s and ‘70s, good-hearted hippies recognized that there was a spiritual dimension to traditional Native American culture than in the larger society. And, of course, there was the American Indian Movement (AIM).
Even in the work I did with Chief Paul Waterman, of the Onondaga Nation, which was mainly burial protection and repatriation, we would often work with various local and state historical groups and environmental organizations. We were all working on related parts of a larger struggle. There were other groups and individuals, of course; I’m using the historical societies and environmental to illustrate a point.
If Paul and I had a conflict with some industry and their lap-dogs in government, we would often request the support of the historical groups and environmental organizations. Likewise, if they asked our help on a cause, we would lend our support. For this illustrates on of the basic rules in politics: alone, we are like individual fingers that our enemy can easily break; together, we form a powerful fist than can protect all of our rights.
I remember when an organization called “Trout Unlimited” asked Paul and I to support them on a project they were busy working on. And while we were helping, Paul saying that he and I represented “Minnows Unlimited.” He was, of course, being very serious. I think that shows the difference in leadership between Onondaga and the USA, where the establishment is “1% Unlimited.”
I remember back in the 1980s, when I was getting to know environmental attorney Robert Kennedy, Jr. And his saying that his late father had taught him that a person cannot understand environmental issue, if they did not understand traditional Indian issues.
No matter where we come from, what our ethnic identity may be, or what shade of skin color we may have, all of our ancestors lived in traditional, tribal societies. In different sets of circumstances, there were different types of leadership, but they all had the tendency of Minnows Unlimited. And that not only included leaders who were far more like Paul Waterman, than like the “leaders” in DC. …..it requires that the individuals within their community behave very differently than most citizens do today in the USA. For democracy demands the full-participation of all.
It doesn’t matter what Tribe of Humanity that you come from ….the black tribes, the brown tribes, the red tribes, the yellow tribes, or the white tribes …..it is the time to remember who you are, and where you come from …..and to add that beauty to that of our society …..for the benefit of all, equally.
As the ancient prophet Isaiah said, gather together for strength (45-20, remember the past (46-9), and build upon the stone (51-4). I say not to promote “religion,” but rather as something that can benefit some people in a spiritual - ethical movement for Social Justice.
I’ll end this with a quote from Vine Deloria, Jr.’s classic, “We Talk, You Listen : New Tribes, New Turf.” It’s from the early 1970s, but can be applied to today:
“The New Left has tried to create a sense of revolution in the nation by shouting slogans and marching up and down the streets. But when the hated establishment is left secure in its citadel, certain that it cannot be dislodged, then it has very little reason to pay to them and maintains the power to suppress them. The New Left should use the system to create uncertainty in the minds of Congressmen it dislikes so that all would tend to change lest lightning strike them in their next election.
“ In a comparable manner the executive branch of the government could be easily changed if sufficient pressure were applied to it through proper channels. When we speak of America as a democracy, we often fool ourselves. While we vote for our Senators, Congressmen and Governors, we do not get a chance to vote for the multitude of civil servants which they are able to appoint. Thus the majority of people in the system are placed there without citizen approval.
“ This fact should not cause people to give up on the system. Simply because a man is appointed to a position, or through the drudgery of years has followed the Peter Principle and rises to his level of incompetence, does not mean he is immortal. There has never been a system yet that would not gladly sacrifice one of its own for a moments’s peace, no matter how brief. If the system is to be changed, then those who would change it should pinpoint its weakest spot, its blockage points, and place all the pressure on that point until the blockage is cleared.”
In my opinion, the Sanders movement is the most powerful that has graced American politics in decades. Our opposition is invested in convincing people otherwise. Soon enough, our true enemies will up their game. And we will be ready for them.
Peace,
H2O Man
= new reply since forum marked as read
If Bernie wins the nomination, I'm going to recommend you for the position of VP, because you seem to "get it" better than anyone I've ever known, as far as I can tell. Not intending to be mean, because I know you really don't want to do it, and don't feel yourself anywhere near experienced enough for the job. But those are both two characteristics of the best leaders.
Don't worry, you'll get the hang of the job quickly.
peace,
Z
