tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850369461143325020.post1615210494197161008..comments2014-12-02T00:43:25.023-08:00Comments on American Witch: My Thanksgiving ShadowAnnie Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09874209585098408777noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850369461143325020.post-7768471396786971412010-12-18T18:47:28.420-08:002010-12-18T18:47:28.420-08:00Richard, thanks for sharing this amazing piece!Richard, thanks for sharing this amazing piece!Annie Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09874209585098408777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850369461143325020.post-87705734746148072942010-12-18T18:47:08.875-08:002010-12-18T18:47:08.875-08:00Thank you Milind. And the same thing happened to m...Thank you Milind. And the same thing happened to my Scottish ancestors at the hands of the English, then to the English at the hands of the French. Now that the world is becoming smaller, more connected, and more balanced between female and male energy, it may be that the time of such brutality is ending. . .Annie Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09874209585098408777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850369461143325020.post-88748343778428851602010-12-01T03:12:39.689-08:002010-12-01T03:12:39.689-08:00Annie,
I'd like to echo your sentiment. I&#...Annie,<br /> <br />I'd like to echo your sentiment. I've not celebrated Thanksgiving since 1970, but have supported and attended Day of Mourning at Cole's Hill, in Plymouth, MA, where Native Peoples gather on that to bear witness to the history of their oppression and genocide, as well as their courage and endurance. Everyone is welcome to Day of Mourning, only Native People are permitted to speak. After this they "break fast" and have a traditional feast, and invite all who have attended to share with them. <br /> <br />The history of the event: In 1970, Wamsutta, (Frank B. James), an Aquinnah Wampanoag man, had been asked to speak at a fancy Commonwealth of Massachusetts banquet celebrating the 350th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims. He agreed. The organizers of the dinner asked for a copy of the speech he planned to deliver. He agreed. Wamsutta was told by a representative of the Department of Commerce and Development that he would not be allowed to give the speech. The reason given was due to the fact that, "...the theme of the anniversary celebration is brotherhood and anything inflammatory would have been out of place." What they were really saying was that in this society, the truth is out of place. <br /><br /> Go to www.uaine.org/wmsuta.htm to view his speech.<br /><br />Russell M. Peters, a Wampanoag, born and raised in Mashpee, MA, gives us this account:<br /><br />"When Frank James, known to the Wampanoag people as Wampsutta, was invited to speak at the 1970 annual Thanksgiving feast [the 350th anniversary] at Plymouth, he was not prepared to have his speech revised by the Pilgrims. He left the dinner and the ceremonies and went to the hill near the statue of Massasoit, who as leader of the Wampanoag when the Pilgrims landed in their territory. There overlooking Plymouth Harbor, he looked at the replica of the Mayflower. It was there that he gave his speech that was to be given to the Pilgrims and their guests. The eight or ten Indians and their supporters listened in indignation as Frank talked of the takeover of the Wampanoag tradition, culture, religion, and land. "<br /><br />I wrote this poem after Day of Mourning,1993.<br /><br />Richard <br /><br />When Worlds Collide<br /> <br />Day of Mourning, 1993<br /> <br />Dear Paige & Michael:<br /> <br /> When you read this Thanksgiving will have<br />passed. On that day I'll be in Plymouth, MA, on the<br />hill where the statue of Massasoit is, above the rock<br />where legend has it the pilgrims landed. The Native<br />Peoples call it Day of Mourning. They set up a mike,<br />and as the Great Spirit moves, they speak what's in<br />their heart as the Spirit moves them. <br /> While this is going on, just below in the street,<br />a parade begins. People dressed in black, cornered<br />hats, square-toed buckle shoes, muskets cocked on<br />shoulders, slowly march to the sound of fife and roll of<br />drums led by a modern day policeman on horseback<br />with a whistle sounding tweet tweet to clear the way<br />to the rock where they will say words over it.<br /> If you are up on the hill you can't help but look<br />down, then look back; then look down and back again. <br />The comparison is so loud it screams. Because of<br />the perspective and height the marching people look<br />small, like three-quarter size, like, well, Hobbits. They look<br />so. . .harmless. Your head swims, Time folds back like<br />a rubber glove and Someone blows the fingers out—<br /> POP POP! POP POP POP! <br />and there you are, on the hill, centuries ago—<br />Yes, they look so. . .harmless!<br /> And late November never fails to bend the light<br />a certain slant— just so: the parade— staged, surreal. <br />Your nose whiffs and wrinkles. . .what is that smell?<br />O yes— idolatry. Some day their incense will reach<br />Great Spirit's nostrils. Great Spirit will judge<br />between the children of the original stewards and the<br />children of the supplanters. And forgive me, but<br />sometimes, when it comes together like this, and the<br />the light is so clear and sharp it's almost. . .cruel,<br />sometimes I pray to the old testament God.richard cambridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16673595374105551781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850369461143325020.post-987441450186188832010-11-30T08:11:37.774-08:002010-11-30T08:11:37.774-08:00annieji i read whole atricle. first thing that rac...annieji i read whole atricle. first thing that racist white people conquore indiginous people. so u confess. this thing is also applicable to Indian Brahmin (meddle asian white race)who r now in american silicon vally. but when does they do this? Indiam bramhin r more racist that european white people.milindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08109255147697195534noreply@blogger.com