Sunday Quote: Indigenous Healing

Racism is a disease in society. We’re all equal. I don’t care what their color is, or religion. Just as long as they’re human beings they’re my buddies. -Mandawuy Yunupingu

I’ve been following Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, on her trip to Australia to accept the Sydney Peace Prize on behalf of BLM. While there, she learned more about the plight of the indigenous people and the struggles they face on their own lands.

The aboriginal people of Australia hold perhaps the oldest wisdom on the planet. When I lived on Guam, I visited the southern continent for two weeks. I traveled to the sacred heart of the land, Uluru (known in modern societies as Ayers Rock.)

This area is associated with the Dreamtime, and the aboriginal people are offended by foreigners climbing it. I am ashamed to admit that I did climb Uluru. That was in 1991. Signs discouraging visitors from climbing first appeared in 1992, and starting in 2019 visitors will no longer be able to climb this sacred site (which is a good thing). If I knew then what I know now, I would not have climbed.

While exploring around the base of this site, you can feel the power throbbing from the earth. I also visited Alice Springs and was able to sit with native artists. One of my most prized possessions is a small piece of fabric painted with Dreamtime symbology. But this is beside the point.

What I want to say is that I believe that the suppression of indigenous people’s beliefs worldwide contributes to the insane state of imbalance humanity faces today. We have become cut off from our roots. A deep connection to others and to the Earth is necessary. Part of that process is to acknowledge and listen to the wisdom of these marginalized and oppressed people. To hear their voice, we must first understand that their lives do indeed matter.

I think it’s an important step for BLM to extend their support to these societies. BLM can help those voices be heard. A symphony needs every instrument, and those silenced voices need to be amplified.

I would encourage you to learn more about the beliefs and stories of the aboriginal people of Australia. Really, listen to the stories of the people around you, too. You can get a taste of the aboriginal stories in a series called Cleverman, available on Netflix streaming. (Sorry to sound like a commercial, but it is a powerful series.)

May someday we achieve integration of these fractured voices so that we can hear the beautiful harmony of humanity.

 

 

I Hate Shoes! Maybe I’m Medieval?

(I didn’t realize how long it had been since I posted. I’ve been doing some “back-end” work to help this blog look and read better. Still in progress.)

Anyway, I really do hate wearing shoes. Always have. I remember when I was a kid, like 2nd or 3rd grade. I walked with my two older sisters to school. More than once we’d get halfway there and they would realize that I was barefoot. The oldest sister would have to run all the way home to get my shoes.

Racism in Medieval Times

Today, I am sick of myself, so I decided to explore articles about one of my favorite subjects, Medieval Studies. I love learning and researching, which is part of why I love the Society for Creative Anachronism. 

I am also interested in and sensitive to race issues. While I would not call myself an activist, I stay aware in my daily life of racial issues and will not tolerate racists jokes or statements and try to raise awareness about institutional racism.