[Dance Spree] Cultural Appropriation

[July Siebecker]

Hi everyone -

Perhaps the solution to people using the Dance Spree announcement list to 
discuss political or personal issues (which is definately not the purpose of 
the list, as several people have pointed out) is to create a separate 
discussion list for Dance Spree? That way those who really really don't want 
to receive these kind of emails could have their wishes honored and not feel 
the need to be taken off the list, as has unfortunately happened a few times 
recently, and those who want to express their ideas and opinions would have 
a designated place to do so. I will bring this idea up to the organizers.

In the meantime, I wish to thank those with discussion topics for being the 
caring, thoughtful, conscious people that they are, and lovingly remind 
everyone that this particular list, announce at dancespree.org, is *only* for 
announcements.

in peace,
July

>From: Joanna Hamlin <grizzlymama at juno.com>
>To: announce at dancespree.org
>Subject: Re: [Dance Spree] Cultural Appropriation
>Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 08:29:28 -0400
>
>To those who responded-
>There is nothing wrong with learning from our Native American brothers
>and sisters, and integrating what we learn into our own personal belief
>system.  But assuming what we think is a "traditional name" is deceitful
>and disrespectful.  Taking money to teach "Native American" spirituality
>is cultural appropriation and contributes to cultural genocide.  Also, if
>you are not "learning" from a true Native person, but a white person who
>found out that his great-great grandfather (probably) raped a native
>woman, or won her in a card game, does not make a person Native American.
>   Generations ago, when some mixing occurred, it was usually not by
>consent.   And, the culture from which the person came from was generally
>not respected and certainly not celebrated.  Native "wives" were usually
>forced to dress like the Europeans and to act like a European.
>
>I too have learned a lot from my many true Native American friends.  My
>best friend growing up was 1/2 Cherokee.  Her father taught me a lot.  He
>taught me that if you put a bunny rabbit near a Beagle-the Beagle will
>kill it!  He taught me that when I got on my horse-I became part of her
>and she became part of me, and so I learned to ride like the wind and
>loved it.  I learned to respect the earth and to tread lightly upon it.
>It was MR. Wood who taught me that if I walked quietly in the woods, I'd
>meet wild animals.  He was so right, as I have had more encounters with
>Black bears, Moose, deer, fox etc., than anyone I know.  Most of these
>encounters have been on trails in the Mountains, on my solo trips and
>every encounter has provided an important lesson-or message.  Most
>importantly, I learned to question corporations that exploit the
>resources of Native American's and of indigenous folks around the world.
>And so he set me on my path to questioning the US government and
>Corporate actions against in this regard.  He also introduced me to the
>work of the American Indian Movement and explained their mission and how
>it's members and other tribal folks were being systematically murdered by
>the FBI-In what is now called the Co-Intelpro atrocities.    What I
>learned from him was not all pretty.   His family photos accompanied by
>horrific stories about what the white people did to those family members
>will be forever etched in my mind.
>
>If we look to our own indigenous roots we will find the same teachings-if
>we listen to our elders we will hear the same wisdom.  My Italian elders
>taught me to be honest, to help others less fortunate than myself and to
>work to make community a welcoming place for everyone.  They taught me to
>work hard and to take pride in my work-not to work for a dollar but to
>work for peace of mind for myself and those around me.  My grandfather
>was passionate about recycling, reusing and used to challenge me to make
>less garbage.  He would reward me for everything that I learned to reuse
>or to make into something else that could be used.  It was a game in my
>home, to see how many things you could avoid putting in a landfill.  He
>taught me that food is sacred and that we must be thankful for every bit
>of it-never over-fill our plates and never throw it away.  What comes
>from the earth must go back to the earth, if it doesn't go into our
>bellies first.
>
>It is good to learn from each other.  It is important.  And lord knows
>that if we Europeans assimilated into Native American culture upon
>landing here, instead of raping and killing and forcing people to conform
>to our needs, we would all be better off.  But we are not talking about
>assimilation here, we are talking about appropriation, exploitation and
>just plain dishonesty.   So go and learn from "real" Native elders who
>grew up in their own culture, integrate it into your life,  but don't
>sell what you learn.  That is just plain wrong.   And don't be a
>messenger-your information is second hand at best and is bound to be
>inaccurate.  Even Christians who have been such for generations, can't
>accurately teach the message of Jesus.  I'm not going to count on them to
>teach me about Native beliefs!  I have never met a native elder who
>charged for a sweat lodge-and I have done many.  Spirituality is not for
>sale-Nobody's tradition beliefs should be sold.
>
>Respectfully,
>jo
>
>


>_______________________________________________
>
>To post a message to the Dance Spree announcement list, send it to: 
>announce at dancespree.org. *You must send it from the email address that is 
>subscribed to the list!* *You must send it to ONLY announce at dancespree.org 
>(no other receivers), otherwise the message will not be posted.* To remove 
>yourself from the announcement list, visit www.dancespree.org