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Post by sunshine on Oct 18, 2005 12:18:59 GMT 10
A charity list I belong to is having a blow up over Native Americans (you all know my heritage is Native American).
Some don't want to donate to them, as they are lazy, drunk, wife beaters, and inconsiderate. Hmmm. . . . .
I'm keeping my mouth shut so far-- please pray that I can continue to be quiet and let it all pass (as we know it will).
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Post by braided-rug on Oct 18, 2005 13:54:33 GMT 10
That kind of thing happens here with Kooris, the attitudes I mean. I guess try staying away for a day or go around the fringes.
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Deed
Treasured
~Super Savvy Seamstress~
Posts: 2,240
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Post by Deed on Oct 18, 2005 20:25:28 GMT 10
A charity list I belong to is having a blow up over Native Americans (you all know my heritage is Native American).
Some don't want to donate to them, as they are lazy, drunk, wife beaters, and inconsiderate. Hmmm. . . . .
I'm keeping my mouth shut so far-- please pray that I can continue to be quiet and let it all pass (as we know it will). These are women that do things for charity? Charity being the operative word, I think they better rethink just what they are doing!  It is that kind of attitude in our country that causes more racial discrimination and hate. So if a single mom with 3 kids is on public assistance and is white she deserves their help, but if the same mom is Native American she doesn't? Bull Cookies! Do any of these so called ladies even know any Native Americans that they are basing their judgement on? Or are they just going with what has been said since the 1800's? Wake up already! That being said, I don't know how you are keeping your mouth shut Denise, I certainly wouldn't be able to! Sorry for the rant, but people like this just tick me off! |
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Post by sunshine on Oct 19, 2005 0:14:48 GMT 10
I'm trying to behave and not feed into their preconcieved ideas. I do
know that if they were making those type of comments about any other
ethnic group,(African Americans, Jews, Hispanics, etc) they would be
banned, but it seems to be ok to "discuss" the Native Americans in
this way.
It's a charity craft list that is extremely busy. I just get patterns and ideas from there, and send stuff to the monthly charity. November's charity is Pine Ridge reservation, and a couple people started in about how they NEVER got a thank you for the things they send there, and it got worse from that. . . . . I haven't opened any emails from that group today. I think I'll give it a week to cool off and see.
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Admin
Major Contributor
formerly ~cara~
Posts: 4,651
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Post by Admin on Oct 19, 2005 1:58:12 GMT 10
I am sorry Denise. You know sometimes I think people don't even bother knowing anyone of that heritage. They just repeat what they hear or are taught. And your right if they were bad mouthing another ethinic group they would be told about it. Can the owner of the list speak up??
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Post by frugalmel on Oct 19, 2005 7:58:51 GMT 10
{{{hugs}}} Denise. YOu are a strong woman to keep quiet like you have. I am not sure I could. There is no place for that kind of racism in a charity board. I hope the owner/head person steps in or someone brings them to their senses soon. Oh and as far as Native Americans being "drunks"......I think they need to re-read their history to find out what group introduced the alcohol and created the problem in the first place...... hmmmm, I wonder.  Sorry I will stop now. I just get upset when people do this sort of thing. |
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Post by hmsclmom on Oct 19, 2005 8:20:36 GMT 10
Goodness...their ignorance is clearly showing isn't it? (((HUGS))) I am so sorry that these women are perpetuating an awful "lie". Don't they know that you will find people "as they are lazy, drunk, wife beaters, and inconsiderate" across every socioeconomical and ethnic "group"? I live right near the CouerD'alene reservations and north of the Nez Pierce reservation and the wonderful people that I know from there are hard working and trying to improve their lives after years of being put down and hurt by our government! Grrrrr....you are a better woman than I...I could not have kept my mouth quiet.
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Post by sunshine on Oct 20, 2005 0:36:52 GMT 10
Here is what I posted to the list:
I'm sorry you felt your hard work was unappreciated. I'm sure there
were many thankful people who received your items.
There have been many times I have not received a thank you or
acknowledgement for my efforts (not from this list, as I'm fairly new
here). That isn't why I give though. It's nice to receive a thank
you, but not getting one, doesn't stop me from giving.
People are busy-- especially when they are stuggling to make ends
meet, or dealing with grief issues, or trying to organize the give
aways for all the wonderful things that were sent.
Please don't harbor harsh feelings towards an entire people, or
organization.
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Post by sunshine on Oct 20, 2005 0:41:31 GMT 10
Here is what I sent to the owner of the list:
Since I don't "vocalize" on this list much, I'm sure you (and others) are unaware of the fact that I am Native American. That shouldn't make a difference anyway.
I am struggling to maintain a Christian attitude of love towards some on this list, that have decided to bash my heritage and make broad generalizations about an entire race of people. If these type of comments were made towards other races/ethnic groups, they would not be tolerated and I find it shocking that they are being made and allowed for this subject.
Charity isn't about being "thanked" or receiving recognition, it's about doing for others. At least that is what it is about in my mind.
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Post by sunshine on Oct 20, 2005 0:42:23 GMT 10
And list owner's response to the list:
I am reading with absolute DISGUST with regard to some of the
comments being made on a CHARITY list!
The other moderators have been pondering as to how to address this
without sounding rude. Fortunately, when it comes to helping others,
I have a LOT invested in speaking my mind.
1) If you don't want to give to a charity DON'T! There is no law in
any country that says you must donate to every group we sponsor. But
you absolutely may NOT discourage others from doing so! How
thoughtless and cruel to those who need us!!!
2) If you're donating for the sake of recognition, there are several
places to go to think/reflect/meditate/pray about this. One is in
Matthew in the New Testament when Christ says to give so that the
left hand doesn't know what the right is doing. Philo says, "Those
who give hoping to be rewarded with honor are not giving, they are
bargaining." Amisa Dana (the Buddhist act of giving away material
things) warns us that attachment to materialistic things keeps us
from being closer to G*d... and I could go on and on. If it pains
you (universal "you") to give without recognition, the charitable
world may not be for you.
3) No organization is perfect. As some members have pointed out, if
orgs sent letters to everyone that donated, they'd go bankrupt. For
Pete's Sake, people!!! If they don't have money to clothe or FEED
people, how ludicrous is it to expect them to have money for postage
to satisfy our egos? Several organizations rely on volunteers as
their staff. There may not be money for paper, envelopes, or even
the manpower needed to help them. Another member pointed out to send
a SASE if you really need to know. My personal favorite is delivery
confirmation. It's only a few cents more and you'll know right away
when someone has received your "string free" gift of love. Not
everyone receives millions of dollars in aid like the Red Cross who
can afford fancy stationary on onion skin!
4) I touched on this one with number three. Give without strings!!!
5) And in the immortal words of Thumper's Father - "If you can't say
something nice, don't say nothing at all!"
6) Is it that hard to remember that most of our American Indians are
in this predicament because of our government policies? So, on that
same token, is it so hard to understand the mistrust and skepticism
they may feel from strangers? Is it that hard to put yourself in
their place, try to understand their history, and feel - even for a
moment - what it must be like to have that life and the lives of
their ancestors? Can we imagine for a moment, the bridge we build in
wanting to help them? The healing that begins with a simple act of
kindness?
7) If you have questions or concerns about a charity represented,
please contact the moderators OFF LIST because we cannot have the
positive flow of helping others interrupted by this type of thing.
(As Bette wrote, you could have all made a hat in the time it's taken
to read all of this senseless complaining... I mean, what a luxury we
have if that's the LEAST of our problems... and when I think of the
victims of Katrina... )
On a personal note, I have always received a thank you from the
Reservations that I give to.
So please, focus your energy on helping our brothers and sisters of
this planet instead of condemning them.
Why look for a splinter in someone else's eye, you know?
Blessings and healing hugs for all,
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Admin
Major Contributor
formerly ~cara~
Posts: 4,651
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Post by Admin on Oct 20, 2005 1:04:50 GMT 10
Good for the list owner!!!
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Sparkle
Bread Van Driver
Each day is a special gift!
Posts: 113
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Post by Sparkle on Oct 22, 2005 2:34:27 GMT 10
Let's all stand up and cheer for the "List Owner"...............glad to see that it is being acknowledged!! There is not one race of people on this earth that doesn't have a few people we would like to see changed so.......therefore, NO ONE has the right to bring down ANY race as a whole! So glad that these people are being "set right" in no uncertain terms. I pray that never happens again!
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Deed
Treasured
~Super Savvy Seamstress~
Posts: 2,240
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Post by Deed on Oct 22, 2005 7:28:59 GMT 10
WOW, I am so glad you wrote her Denise. While I feel she should have known what was going on by either visiting her own site or being notified by her moderators, I am very happy to read what she did finally write to the board. I like her style, glad she didn't hold anything back! *thumbs up*
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Post by braided-rug on Oct 22, 2005 11:46:27 GMT 10
She made a good point about the recognition.
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Post by hmsclmom on Oct 24, 2005 9:47:36 GMT 10
((((hugs)))) to you Denise and to the list owner!
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Sorry I will stop now. I just get upset when people do this sort of thing. 
