Friday, November 28, 2014

National Day of Mourning



Plymouth, Mass.  11.27.2014
Plymouth, Mass. 11.27.2014
The holiday season officially begins on Thanksgiving Day as many are gearing to give thanks to their loved ones and participate in Black Friday shopping frenzy.  Every year, I casually observed this national holiday and accepted it as a part of American tradition.  Time is usually allocated to friends and family and many enjoy great feasts and celebrations.  However, this year’s “thanksgiving” took on a different shape and coincidences or circumstances in life took me to the origin of the holiday itself, Plymouth, Mass.  Only this time, I did not sit around, cooked or drank in a gluttonous fashion, instead I came to observe the true, often neglected story produced by the consequences of this bona fide anniversary.  Since 1970, United American Indians of New England (UAINE), march through the streets of Plymouth to remember all of those victims who not only succumbed to the violence of the colonizers, but continue to remain oppressed, forgotten and undermined as people whose land was looted, ravaged and destroyed throughout the centuries.  It was truly a day of mourning.
Emotionally charged and symbolically executed, the National Day Of Mourning, brought tears to the participants’ eyes as several community leaders took the stand to share their grievances.  Indescribable energy consumed the place as everyone respectfully participated in the opening prayer ceremony led by a Mayan Indian who guided the crowds to pray in unity in whatever language or whatever way they deemed appropriate for themselves.  Solidarity and undisputed human connection bound all the observers together and the glimpse of hope for better future glowed somewhere in between the tears and in between the rages of protest against transnational corporations, ineffective government and simply hate itself.
Yet, the reality and the realization how far our world keeps moving away from the principles that make us all decent human beings into some divided enclaves where greed, hate and apathy continuously dominate our world, struck deeply.  Sadly, there were very few Natives themselves due to the centuries long systematic genocide and isolation policies that led to social problems Natives face in the reservations and elsewhere.  With only, 0.9 percent of the total US population, they stood as a reminder of a destruction, racism and perpetual ignorance executed towards them and many other minorities alike.  The unheard voices of those leaders keep on echoing, too silently I must add.
The streets of Plymouth appeared desolate as most of the businesses were closed for the observation of the other holiday.  A few passers took pictures and observed the procession, only to forget a minute later as they sat down to indulge in their turkeys.  However, those of us who joined the crowd, experienced something extraordinary.  On the first glance, the diversity of people striked me the most as we marched through the empty streets shouting slogans of solidarity.  No one looked alike, no one was the same, yet the same message echoed in the thoughts of all of us. The message carried hope and unity for there are people who understand how important is to exercise human principles of freedom, rights and justice.
Leonard Peltier
Leonard Peltier
Justice, an ambiguous term of a due process, leaves room for duality and exclusion depending on the actors involved.  For over 30 years, UAINE has been advocating for a release of Leonard Peltier who has been convicted for murders of two FBI agents in 1977.  He had been sentenced to two lifetime terms and continues to serve them.  The evidence and circumstances surrounding the case was often incomplete and unsubstantial.  The accounts of witness intimidation and other irregularities were brought to light, however, every appeal was turned down.  UAINE believes that Mr. Peltier did not get the trial he deserves and they continuously raise funds for his defense in hopes to get him out of prison before it is too late; he is 70 now in declining health.
Currently, with Ferguson Case and the nationwide protests taking place, the accountability and transparency become two powerful weapons of our time that may aid in bringing up some type of change.  However, militarization of police and their authority may hinder the progress of spread of ideas and this government may use all the means necessary to stop individuals from expressing their opinions.  The government has powerful tools to silence those who fight ideologically for a change and forces some to take action through more radical channels.  With loosely defined terrorism, Patriot Act and closing a blind eye on police activities, we may be moving toward the totalitarian regime, similar to those that the US government has been trying to “liberate”.  Duality and contradictory practices of the government make us all uncertain of what future may hold.
National Day of Mourning remind us all of how important is to remember the struggles of those left in the days behind us.  History is a great teacher if observed with a clear mind and conscientious heart.  Despite of all the atrocities committed on Native Indians, not just in North America, but everywhere in the world, there is hope as presented by UAINE.  They uphold global principles that value life through freedom, tolerance and respect.  Peaceful, non-violent processions give power to the crowds more important than physical weapons; they breed ideas which no one can destroy.