Geronimo!

We join with the voices of those who protest the use of the name Geronimo for the operational code name in the recent bin Laden affair. What kind of outcry would we have heard if the US military would have chosen Nixon, Malcolm X or how about Charlie Pride? No...I don't think so! The Government should give up the racist bias against the Native American peoples held by so many of the officials, agencies and legislation. With Barak Obama as president I hoped for more. Sadly the governmental prejudice created almost single handedly by Andrew Jackson continues even to this day. I wish we could proclaim this as a rare event but this has happened before...numerous times! In fact this appears to be the pattern for the US.  (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/08/2158076/pentagon-lawyer-apologizes-for.html) Think about the whole scope of the name calling for a moment. We have an Apache helicopter; soldiers that go off the reservation and tomahawk war missiles. The hits just keep on coming.

The latest episode only exacerbates an already fractured relationship between the US Government and the Native American population. I'm sure that, even though I'm not a military genius, I could have come up with a much better code name than Geronimo. (http://www.indians.org/welker/geronimo.htm) We could have shouted Adolph! Adolph! Adolph! as we strode into the compound. No one would have minded if the soldiers would have shouted Demon, Wretch or Dipstick. These random names just came to me as I wrote this post. Come on! Let's give the Native American culture a break.

At best, the policies of Government toward Native Americans have been schizophrenic. From one leader to the next the treatment, regulations and requirements have fluctuated. For generations, eencroachment by throngs of whites into living territories, traditional hunting grounds and sacred areas have infuriated and decimated the Native American culture. All citizens should demand a new policy of reconciliation and healing. (http://www.victoriana.com/history/nativeamericans.html)

Today, Native Americans scattered throughout the United States continue to seek ways and means to continue their cultural journey. Having spent much time with numerous close friends from the Native American culture I promise you these people have courage, fortitude and personal strength. I call upon all legislators, military leaders and officials to end the discrimination. We must treat all peoples with respect, dignity and human kindness. Let's begin now to resist invading the lives of others. Geronimo!