September news and views, we'll start a new one when the traffic gets heavier.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Answers

Nasty lame cartoon regarding the Onteora Indian on the back page of the new freebie paper, the Phoenicia Times. Shows a hypersensitive Indian, and other affronted symbols (all private or commercial) of teams like the Canucks and Celtics. Anyone knows the editor, better take him aside and have a word. Photo inside of Tanaz and Taima, mentioning the film. Charles, I'll send you a couple of copies for your files.

They are trying to show Phoenicia as this real hip and cool place, and then up pops this little gem.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Time for letters to the editor, i guess..I haven't seen the rag..tried www.phoeniciatimes.com, but got a placeholder page...If we can get this guy's home addess, I'll send him "the packet." Tobe

also a copy of the Washington Times recent editorial: as below... To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27433-2001Aug31.html

What's in a Name?

THE MONTGOMERY County school board and Superintendent Jerry Weast are taking some heat for telling Poolesville High School to abandon the Indian as its mascot and name for school teams. One argument has it that the bureaucrats in Rockville are trampling on democracy, since a straw vote in Poolesville went the other way. Another says that Montgomery is bowing to political correctness run amok, since there's nothing offensive about the word "Indian."

We understand the criticisms, but we think they're misplaced. Yes, a campaign of "inclusiveness" could slide quickly into zealotry, and we have no doubt that the people of Poolesville cheer their teams on without any ill intent or bigotry. "Indian" is certainly not as offensive as some other terms -- "Redskin," for example. But many Native Americans do take offense at it, and that shouldn't come as a surprise. If you substituted some other group name -- if it were the Poolesville "Negroes" or "African Americans" or the Poolesville "Jews" -- people would look askance. No one wants to be reduced to mascot status.

A lot depends on context. The name "Warrior" doesn't strike us as problematic, but if said Warriors' fans turned out in war paint and cheered their teams with imitation tomahawk chops, it would become so. Groups who have been treated shabbily in the past, and American Indians certainly qualify, have a right to be more sensitive than those who have generally found themselves at the top of the heap. And there's always going to be more latitude for what people call themselves than for what others call them. That's just the way it is.

As for the democracy argument: Montgomery County has an elected school board. It ought to listen to parents, but it also has a job of setting policy for the system. If a high school wanted to opt out of teaching algebra, no doubt the board would not view that as a legitimate matter for local control, even if the student vote was overwhelming. Banning offensive school names is a legitimate objective for a democratic board.

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2001

"Searching for the Onteora Indians" will be shown as part of the short documentary film segment from 12-2 on Saturday the 22nd, at the Woodstock Community Center. It will be 20 minutes long, admission $7 (I think).

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2001

I am thinking aboiut contacting Brian Hollander, editor of the Woodstock Times to see if he's interested in collaborating with the Kingston Freeman, RNN and perhpas a radio station in sponsoring a series on stereotypes over the fall-winter-spring...any thoughts on this idea?

I will be away until Friday. If there's no objection, i'll see if i can rouse some interest...I'll invite COLOR to join in, if Lucia will return my call or email.. Tobe

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2001

Forward:

At 02:11 PM 9/13/01, Anna-Kristine Flones wrote: >>Dearest Friends, >> >> The sun is shining and flickering on the green leaves making me >> think of >>you today. I want to ask you to join in a circle of prayer for peace on >>Friday evening at the Woodstock Community Center. (Please see attachment). >>This community event came out of our gatherings for the last two nights in >>my yurt where it was so evident that we have a such a load of grief to heal >>that it passes our comprehension. Please join Debby & Oscar Ogg, Kevin >>Kraft, Suzie Futerfas, Carol Robin and hopefully many more from our >>community to express your grief and pray for peace. Please bring your >>;friends and neighbors. >>Long life, Honey in the heart, No evil, Thirteen thank yous, >>Kristine Flones

PRAYER CIRCLE FOR PEACE

Friday, September 14 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Woodstock Community Center on Rock City Road

Join the Circle of Prayer Express Your Grief Pray for Peace Heal Your Heart

"Bless those in harm's way. Bless those who are suffering. Bless those who are dying. Bless those who are helping. Bless those who can do nothing but wait. Bless our children that they learn NOT to hate Bless those who are scared. Bless those innocents who may be blamed. Bless the investigators with discernment, clarity and true seeing. Bless those who seek not vengeance. Bless all those who strive for peace. Bless us all and give us strength. Bless our leaders, that they make decisions for the good of all, Bless our military, who will be sent to serve.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

It is impossible to diminish the horror that we all feel after this week's events. That being said, can we try to make a positive move to deal with some of the underlying causes? Perhaps we can't directly deal with the hate in so many hearts, but maybe we can create a local program to confront stereotypes that help breed the misguided motives that surround these murders.

I again offer to work to create a series of community wide programs dealing with ethnic and racial stereotypes, past and present that the community may find helpful in some small measure.

The list of ethnic and racial groups that could be included is long and it will take more than my feeble efforts to get it going and sustain it. I do, however, have some beginning ideas.

Since any such program will require money, perhaps we can call on the Kingston Freeman and Ulster Publishing (W. Times, etc.) to sponsor a series out of a sense of what is being called in various communities where it is being practiced, "civic journalism." Maybe a series of speakers/seminars/visual exhibits, newspaper inserts, video presentations, etc. etc., will move some to get beyond their own narrow individual and group understanding and embrace the diversity that is here.

Please post your thoughts on the STAND bbs or directly to me by email.

Be safe and strong. Tobe

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2001

I think it is too to think about it with everyone in shock. But most importantly, the intolerance and bigotry in this area is a microcosm of the greater intolerance in the world, and those people just don't "get it."

Bet you they'd find a way to twist things so that it would be seen as a political gesture on our part, a way to get our agenda onto the table again.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I stopped in at the Native American Film Festival last night. Missed your collection of Indian yearbook images Tobe, I was assuming it would be running on Woodstock Time as everything else always does, and had forgotten to allow enough time for the detour around the reservoir.

There were about 15 people in the audience, no faces familiar to me other than Ras T and Lucia. Don't know if they were otherwise local, or folks who were up for the big film festival. If anyone talks with Nathan and Shelley (I don't actually know them), I'd be curious to know if they recognized any CARE members attending. I'd come for the Jamake High water film, a book of his was the first one I bought for my unborn kid. He blew me away with his discussion of the architecture at Acoma. I suddenly realized that I have never lived, or worked, above the second floor of a building, and that that is something that defines me in a way that contrasts so deeply with the values of those who built the World Trade Center.

Tanaz and Taima's film is delightful, they managed to get a wide range of points articulated for a 20-minute film. Dennis was very powerful. Quite a bit of CARE coverage that gives them enough rope, like Bev Stein with her NY accent complaining about New Yorkers, and Glenda nattering on in her usual way. Seeing it made me think that Glenda reminds me of Camille Paglia -- bright, well-spoken, good vocabulary, and then when I walk away I realize I have - no - idea what she just said.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001