Thank you for opening up the space for us to question how the national holiday made us feel this year, Austin. It bothered me but I hadn't reflected on what that might mean.
I was driving through parts of the rural West on the 4th of July, coming back from a long trip through remote country. For the first time, the "in your face" flag-flying along the way disturbed me in a deep way. I experienced that flag as just the symbol of the current occupying nation-state on Turtle Island. Waiting for it to symbolize anything else seemed futile.
It struck me that this beautiful land deserves something better than a political system built on freedom for some humans and oppression of everyone/everything else. I resolved to try to out-live it! I'm not sure what this means but I'm aware that this is the second occupying nation-state (at least) that the indigenous part of my family have survived. Maybe I'm finally realizing that the continued existence of the "United States" is not a given. The ancestors are reminding me to keep it all in perspective.
Thanks Austin. Yes. This day is not celebratory. I like your reference to acknowledgement. I too am waiting. Many are waiting. Waiting with you and fighting with you!
I continue to read and educate myself and continue to share what I know to be the true history of America.
Keep doing what you are doing! It is so appreciated!
Thank you for opening up the space for us to question how the national holiday made us feel this year, Austin. It bothered me but I hadn't reflected on what that might mean.
I was driving through parts of the rural West on the 4th of July, coming back from a long trip through remote country. For the first time, the "in your face" flag-flying along the way disturbed me in a deep way. I experienced that flag as just the symbol of the current occupying nation-state on Turtle Island. Waiting for it to symbolize anything else seemed futile.
It struck me that this beautiful land deserves something better than a political system built on freedom for some humans and oppression of everyone/everything else. I resolved to try to out-live it! I'm not sure what this means but I'm aware that this is the second occupying nation-state (at least) that the indigenous part of my family have survived. Maybe I'm finally realizing that the continued existence of the "United States" is not a given. The ancestors are reminding me to keep it all in perspective.
I see you. I hear you. 💜
Thanks Austin. Yes. This day is not celebratory. I like your reference to acknowledgement. I too am waiting. Many are waiting. Waiting with you and fighting with you!
I continue to read and educate myself and continue to share what I know to be the true history of America.
Keep doing what you are doing! It is so appreciated!
Nancy