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MindMover

(5,016 posts)
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 09:17 PM Apr 2012

We are the oppressed...

We are the oppression no one sees in the home of the free.
We are the genocide unspoken in the land of the brave.
Disease
Mutilation
Massacre
Rape
Sterilization
Starvation
Relocation
Neglect...
We are the eyes of a child bathing in the sink.
We are the arms of a teenager pumping water for his family.
We are the grandparents who raised their grandchildren.
We are the middle schooler who's sister hung herself.
We are the elder who clings to his beer.
We are the women who wear sunglasses to cover a bruise.
We are native, and we are still here.
We are the grass dancer who refuses to quit.
We are the high school graduate with a dream of college.
We are the drummer who sings to the great spirit.
We are the shawl dancer who raises her brother.
We are the elders who keep tradition alive. We are strong.
We will not give in.
We will not assimilate.
We are still here.


http://www.twitlonger.com/show/h7nf1m

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
We are the oppressed... (Original Post) MindMover Apr 2012 OP
k+r marasinghe Apr 2012 #1
... Mnemosyne Apr 2012 #2
Sometimes the Oppression Comes From Our Own Kind brzysunset Jun 2012 #3
I am sorry to hear of your troubles and I will fax Connie a letter.... MindMover Jun 2012 #4
Just an example from my own family. The $1000 from the government is being given out to enrolled jwirr Jun 2012 #5
Suh-Gidz cntrfthrs Dec 2012 #6

brzysunset

(9 posts)
3. Sometimes the Oppression Comes From Our Own Kind
Thu Jun 21, 2012, 03:00 PM
Jun 2012

And it is not always the US Government that does the oppressing!! The Seminole Tribe of Florida is denying tribal members of other tribes to use their health facilities as of 7-1-12 for any chronic problem if your are not Seminole, yet my Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribe sees every person of Native American heritage with a CDIB. So who is the oppressor? IHS meant for us all to have access to medical care. The Seminole Health states they will no longer treat anyone not Seminole for chronic conditions. Diabetes is a chronic condition and is prevalent in all our Indian families. They will see us for acute condition- short term duration like the flue and Indians living in Florida with Diabetes or other chronic illness patients are now uninsurable and thrown to the wolves. If you can help by faxing or sending letters stating this is unfair treatment, I would appreciate it. I am Choctaw and my tribe Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma treats all Indians of all tribes in clinics across Okla.
Connie Whidden is the Seminole Health Director- Her Fax 954-985-8456-Phone 954-962-2009 address Seminole Tribe of Florida 3006 Josie Billie Ave., Hollywood, Fl. 33024

Thank you for allowing me to address this issue on your thread. Today is my first day as a member at DU, and they won't allow me to start my own thread yet. I am in tears, I was insurable when I started going to their clinic 7 years ago. Now that I have diabetes I can no longer buy affordable insurance. The govt insurance is $370.00 per month for one person my age (55).If the Seminoles can do this to me, it can be done to any Indian anywhere.

MindMover

(5,016 posts)
4. I am sorry to hear of your troubles and I will fax Connie a letter....
Thu Jun 21, 2012, 04:15 PM
Jun 2012

You are correct about self cultural oppression. I lived and worked in N. California with 7 tribes that were constantly at each others throats...

Is there any politician that might get involved on your behalf.?


and......Welcome to DU

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
5. Just an example from my own family. The $1000 from the government is being given out to enrolled
Fri Jun 22, 2012, 11:49 AM
Jun 2012

Natives only. This is money that is due their grandfathers from a long standing case against the US government. Because one of our family was born one day after the enrollment date he is not going to get any of the money due to his grandfather while his sisters and brothers will.

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