I am respectful of your views and your journey to self-discovery. The first time I heard about the plight of the Aboriginal people I made it my business to do research, read every testimony, every historical text I could get my hand on, from movies such as " Rabbitproof Fence, books- In Search of April Raintree, Rez Sisters,and The Encounter- to name a few) I immersed myself- made aboriginal studies a minor in university.. Why, because I wanted to know and understand the experience of such people. The Jewish people do not concern themselves with the thought that others are equally oppressed but highlight their own struggles without apology, without fear of reprisal. We can never forget about the Halocast, why should we? I respect their right to pay tribute to their people by renewing the process of telling.. The Aboriginal people at one time used silence as a form of resistance but no longer have to do so. It is with this fervency that i tell my story, not to highlight our struggles in comparison to others who have suffered or paint us as victims but to force others to see the atrocities done to my Ancestors and stand up against those who demand that I shut up and move on. I call individuals to personal accountability in their day to day life. If it provides you with inner-peace to accept and move on I respect this position.
I don't feel that we are at a place where we can move on and forget just yet since the things of yesteryear are ever present in our reality. Black folks for the most part understand all too well the oppression of other people and NEVER ask anyone to SHUT UP ALREADY! But we are asked on a regular by folks who themselves have understood this pain. I agree that I have the opportunity to make it better, it is my goal- open and honest dialogue is a start. Telling my true feelings does not mean I am not open to changing my mind about the way I see many in Canada and beyond.. I seek reconciliation but will not learn to trust without true confession, apologies and laws enacted to end inequality-not laws enacted to trick me into believing that I deserve fair and equitable treatment but equal opportunities as all other citizen. As long as double standards continue to show up in the Justice System and the social fabric of our society remain one sided, the sore festers, cannot truly heal. I am angry for those who were unable to express this emotion.. grown men and women who were forced to behave like kids.
South Africa remains in occupation to this very day, people killed, beaten, tear gased for asking for increase in wages despite the end of Apartheid. Because your ancestors were brutalized, raped, violated in the worst ways does not mean I don't get to say I had enough. People from all over the world come to this country and reap the wealth and benefit of this land but there are still young boy and girl, men and women on reservation feeling hopeless, helpless, who turn to drugs or alcohol to ease the pain.. why should they forget, why must I remain calm? Since I don't believe we must do unto others as they have done to us, I must speak because my ancestors where denied this given right and If I die I die. I am not saying that you are asking me to shut up just saying no one wants to hear about slavery, racism, etc. it is too uncomfortable, makes folks mad...I don't care! It was and is still uncomfortable for me and many Africans to this day...why should we bear the cross while the world go free. (just saying)..
On one hand I sound the alarm that some of my own brothers and sisters find creative ways to get retribution but got canned for doing so- I finally let that one go with a smile but will continue to provoke and antagonize individuals knowing full well that while I "make enemies" I bring awareness to our cause. If one person is able to see the big picture, ask the big questions about violence, crime in poor countries such as Jamaica, examine the black on black crime in garrison communities in Canada and else where then individuals will learn to relax the superior complex when they speak about underdeveloped nations and people. It is not in our hands to just change things at will but we can definitely ring the alarm. One can read the words on a page but never really understand the inner workings of someones mind unless a question is asked or one walk in the other shoes.. If I went away two hundred posts ago, we would not have had this conversation.. We agree on somethings and disagree on other points.. I can be sane at times, not so on other occasion-. Thanks for sharing, appreciate your ability to speak your truth.
I pray for that day everyday! The other day I counted! 32 people have gotten PPR after I have applied and still I wager on as does DG! She is my leaning post right now as she and I are the last of the early 2012 but we have our other girls looking out for us too! This has to end one day and soon we won't have to say goodbye to our hubbies on the phone no more.......we can say goodnight while they are lying beside us in bed! And your baby girl will see her daddy everyday and he won't miss all the fun stuff she is doing like learning to clap! EVERYONES case is different and he will soon be gone as we have seen so many others come and go, don't let negativity get in the way. Positive thoughts bring positive outlooks! Blessings my friend.
