As before, ""This week I am attending workshops in Tempe, Arizona, on topics related to leadership and ministry in Native Christian Churches. (Saying "Native American Churches" means another thing.) Here are a few random thoughts from today." Previous ruminations: Day One, and Two, and Three.
1. In the workshops I often am the only white person. Other participants tend to make remarks that assume that everyone in the room is tribal. "On our reservations . . .", "Our people", etc. I'm not offended. But it is educational to be a minority once in a while. Everyone should try it. (fyi, I'm a blue-eyed white boy with greying reddish-brown hair and a ruddy complexion)
2. Afternoons I've been in the session on Meth and Youth Gangs. Even the remote rez's are seeing gang recruitment and meth abuse. You can run but you can't hide. The toxic aspects of the dominant culture are corroding every corner of our country. There are no simple answers because there are no simple explanations. But, nothing will get better without involvement. If our lives are work, play, sleep, without community involvement, we are doomed. The government cannot save us from this one, though there are ways in which it might help.
3. One former gang member in the workshop said that gangs now are using the internet to recruit, including myspace.
4. One motivation to join a gang is the need to belong, to have a family. The former gang member I mentioned above said that he needed someone to want him, to appreciate him. He found this in a gang. He also said that though he would not have said it this way at the time, he also needed discipline in his life and the gang gave him discipline, a structure with its own rewards and punishments.
5. To end on a more positive note. This former gang member was not the leader of the workshop. He was an attendee from an Indian Presbyterian church on the West Coast. God's grace had changed his life. He and his wife brought their infant son along with them. Both were abused as children, and are determined to break the chain between their generation and the baby's. Things do not always go from bad to worse. Sometimes they go from bad to better. God bless.
1. In the workshops I often am the only white person. Other participants tend to make remarks that assume that everyone in the room is tribal. "On our reservations . . .", "Our people", etc. I'm not offended. But it is educational to be a minority once in a while. Everyone should try it. (fyi, I'm a blue-eyed white boy with greying reddish-brown hair and a ruddy complexion)
2. Afternoons I've been in the session on Meth and Youth Gangs. Even the remote rez's are seeing gang recruitment and meth abuse. You can run but you can't hide. The toxic aspects of the dominant culture are corroding every corner of our country. There are no simple answers because there are no simple explanations. But, nothing will get better without involvement. If our lives are work, play, sleep, without community involvement, we are doomed. The government cannot save us from this one, though there are ways in which it might help.
3. One former gang member in the workshop said that gangs now are using the internet to recruit, including myspace.
4. One motivation to join a gang is the need to belong, to have a family. The former gang member I mentioned above said that he needed someone to want him, to appreciate him. He found this in a gang. He also said that though he would not have said it this way at the time, he also needed discipline in his life and the gang gave him discipline, a structure with its own rewards and punishments.
5. To end on a more positive note. This former gang member was not the leader of the workshop. He was an attendee from an Indian Presbyterian church on the West Coast. God's grace had changed his life. He and his wife brought their infant son along with them. Both were abused as children, and are determined to break the chain between their generation and the baby's. Things do not always go from bad to worse. Sometimes they go from bad to better. God bless.
Category: General
Posted by: an okie gardener
As before, ""This week I am attending workshops in Tempe, Arizona, on topics related to leadership and ministry in Native Christian Churches. (Saying "Native American Churches" means another thing.) Here are a few random thoughts from today." First day. Second day.
1. I had a glimpse tonight of the World to Come. Some of us attended Prayer Meeting at the Gila Crossing Presbyterian Church on the Gila River Reservation near Phoenix. The members there were mostly Pima. In our group from the Cook Training School were Nez Pierce, two bands of the Dakota/Lakota, Puyallup, Winnebago, and I think one or two more, plus a couple of us Anglos. We sang together, prayed together, listened to Scripture together, and ate together. In the Book of Revelation we are given a vision of the World to Come in which members of every tongue, tribe, and nation, unite in praise to God. We need to do it more now.
2. Jesus promised that those who left all to follow him would receive a new family--fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters in Israel. I met one of my brothers this evening, a member of the Gila Crossing church. He was an older man (an "elder" not necessarily in office, but according to the respect given in tribal churches to older members) who told me of the history of the Pima and Maricopa tribes: the Pima farming and fishing along the Gila and Salt Rivers (the rivers had flowing water even in his memory, today they are used so hard that the water rarely flows), joined in confederation by the Maricopa who moved into the area from California after conflict with other tribes there, the confederated tribes defending their homeland against other tribes such as the Apache who would raid down from the mountains after harvest (war seems a human universal), coming under white rule, enduring, living now on the Gila River Reservation. Official website. "We are a desert people," he said, "and always will be." He spoke somewhat of his service in the Korean War. Then, he talked of Scripture, and of the Christian life. My family is big.
3. When Jesus promised us a new family, he did not promise us a perfect family. The downside of family life is that you do not get to choose your family, and some of the characters are odd, or even abrasive. So too my Christian family. We've had some friction among us at the conference. Some members of the family are easier to like than others. But, who am I to complain. I ain't always easy either.
4. One of the workshops I am attending this week is on Gangs and Meth. Perhaps more on that later. This afternoon our class went together to see the movie Freedom Writers. I recommend it.
1. I had a glimpse tonight of the World to Come. Some of us attended Prayer Meeting at the Gila Crossing Presbyterian Church on the Gila River Reservation near Phoenix. The members there were mostly Pima. In our group from the Cook Training School were Nez Pierce, two bands of the Dakota/Lakota, Puyallup, Winnebago, and I think one or two more, plus a couple of us Anglos. We sang together, prayed together, listened to Scripture together, and ate together. In the Book of Revelation we are given a vision of the World to Come in which members of every tongue, tribe, and nation, unite in praise to God. We need to do it more now.
2. Jesus promised that those who left all to follow him would receive a new family--fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters in Israel. I met one of my brothers this evening, a member of the Gila Crossing church. He was an older man (an "elder" not necessarily in office, but according to the respect given in tribal churches to older members) who told me of the history of the Pima and Maricopa tribes: the Pima farming and fishing along the Gila and Salt Rivers (the rivers had flowing water even in his memory, today they are used so hard that the water rarely flows), joined in confederation by the Maricopa who moved into the area from California after conflict with other tribes there, the confederated tribes defending their homeland against other tribes such as the Apache who would raid down from the mountains after harvest (war seems a human universal), coming under white rule, enduring, living now on the Gila River Reservation. Official website. "We are a desert people," he said, "and always will be." He spoke somewhat of his service in the Korean War. Then, he talked of Scripture, and of the Christian life. My family is big.
3. When Jesus promised us a new family, he did not promise us a perfect family. The downside of family life is that you do not get to choose your family, and some of the characters are odd, or even abrasive. So too my Christian family. We've had some friction among us at the conference. Some members of the family are easier to like than others. But, who am I to complain. I ain't always easy either.
4. One of the workshops I am attending this week is on Gangs and Meth. Perhaps more on that later. This afternoon our class went together to see the movie Freedom Writers. I recommend it.
Category: General
Posted by: an okie gardener
As I said yesterday, "This week I am attending workshops in Tempe, Arizona, on topics related to leadership and ministry in Native Christian Churches. (Saying "Native American Churches" means another thing.) Here are a few random thoughts from today." To read yesterday's thoughts see here.
1. Tonight we are having ( I left early) a "cultural night" in the auditorium. A sort of mini-pow-wow. The evening began, as do all pow-wows I'm familiar with, with the posting of the colors done by veterans. We all stood as the honor guard presented the flag, then pledged allegiance to the United States of America. I feel humbled whenever I stand among Native peoples who demonstrate their patriotism, peoples who could rightfully hate this country, but instead serve as proud citizens. I've written of Indian patriotism before here and here and elsewhere. The color guard was from American Legion Ira Hayes Post No. 84, a racially mixed post including Native Americans.
2. Following the flag ceremony a WW2 veteran and member of the Legion Post gave a talk on his life. He was of Japanese descent. His father immigrated to the US in 1900, his mother in 1916. They were prohibited by law from becoming naturalized citizens, though their son and his siblings born here were citizens. When the draft was activated he was processed, but not inducted because he farmed. Following Pearl Harbor his father was arrested by the FBI, though never publically charged, and held in North Dakota. He continued farming until FDR signed the relocation order. Then, given only a few days to sell the farm, livestock, etc., he was processed as a detainee, being sent to the camp on the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona. (His draft classification, like that of other citizens sent to the camps, was reclassified as "Undesirable.") He was quite clear that he regarded this action as unjust and a violation of his rights as a citizen. However, the military soon realized its need for Japanese readers and speakers in the Pacific theater, and asked for volunteers from each camp to join the military as translators. He did. For the rest of the war he served in India and Burma assigned to the British, then with American forces in China. Finally, he finished his service in occupied Japan. Returning home after the war he found he had to start over. A kind neighbor to the family farm had allowed the family to store some machinery in his barn which he sold on behalf of the family during the war shortages. This money provided the nest egg to begin again. Eventually the family owned a farm in Arizona. He now is retired, and a proud Legion member. And, a patriot, who expressed his loyalty and love for America tonight.
3. He provided us a key to understanding the mystery of his patriotism by telling the story of the return of the highly decorated 442d to the United States after WW2. He told that President Truman, honoring this unit, told them that they had shown the country courage and loyalty. He then challenged them to continue the fight to hold America to its own highest ideals. For this citizen of Japanese ancestry, and I think for the Native American veterans, America is ultimately not a region of territory, nor a particular government administration, nor simply the sum of past injustice; America is an ideal to be defended and fought for against all enemies both foreign and domestic.
1. Tonight we are having ( I left early) a "cultural night" in the auditorium. A sort of mini-pow-wow. The evening began, as do all pow-wows I'm familiar with, with the posting of the colors done by veterans. We all stood as the honor guard presented the flag, then pledged allegiance to the United States of America. I feel humbled whenever I stand among Native peoples who demonstrate their patriotism, peoples who could rightfully hate this country, but instead serve as proud citizens. I've written of Indian patriotism before here and here and elsewhere. The color guard was from American Legion Ira Hayes Post No. 84, a racially mixed post including Native Americans.
2. Following the flag ceremony a WW2 veteran and member of the Legion Post gave a talk on his life. He was of Japanese descent. His father immigrated to the US in 1900, his mother in 1916. They were prohibited by law from becoming naturalized citizens, though their son and his siblings born here were citizens. When the draft was activated he was processed, but not inducted because he farmed. Following Pearl Harbor his father was arrested by the FBI, though never publically charged, and held in North Dakota. He continued farming until FDR signed the relocation order. Then, given only a few days to sell the farm, livestock, etc., he was processed as a detainee, being sent to the camp on the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona. (His draft classification, like that of other citizens sent to the camps, was reclassified as "Undesirable.") He was quite clear that he regarded this action as unjust and a violation of his rights as a citizen. However, the military soon realized its need for Japanese readers and speakers in the Pacific theater, and asked for volunteers from each camp to join the military as translators. He did. For the rest of the war he served in India and Burma assigned to the British, then with American forces in China. Finally, he finished his service in occupied Japan. Returning home after the war he found he had to start over. A kind neighbor to the family farm had allowed the family to store some machinery in his barn which he sold on behalf of the family during the war shortages. This money provided the nest egg to begin again. Eventually the family owned a farm in Arizona. He now is retired, and a proud Legion member. And, a patriot, who expressed his loyalty and love for America tonight.
3. He provided us a key to understanding the mystery of his patriotism by telling the story of the return of the highly decorated 442d to the United States after WW2. He told that President Truman, honoring this unit, told them that they had shown the country courage and loyalty. He then challenged them to continue the fight to hold America to its own highest ideals. For this citizen of Japanese ancestry, and I think for the Native American veterans, America is ultimately not a region of territory, nor a particular government administration, nor simply the sum of past injustice; America is an ideal to be defended and fought for against all enemies both foreign and domestic.
Category: General
Posted by: an okie gardener
This week I am attending workshops in Tempe, Arizona, on topics related to leadership and ministry in Native Christian Churches. (Saying "Native American Churches" means another thing.) Here are a few random thoughts from today.
1. You can learn a lot about a town by riding city busses. To save money I and the person I traveled with took a city bus from the Phoenix Airport to the Cook Conference Center/School (founded years ago to serve Indian Churches). Phoenix folk were very friendly and helpful, driver and passengers. My opinion of this town now is higher.
2. Have I ever mentioned I am frugal? I refer to myself as a true conservative--I read all restaurant menus from right to left.
3. Our dominant culture is crazy. Along University Avenue I see grass planted, with sprinkler systems installed. You have moved to the desert, people! It is dry here. Go with it, don't fight it. Adapt, change. Instead we usually seek to dominate our local environments. As the Phoenix area grows, where will the water come from to water this turf?
4. I am one of the few Anglos here. Most of the attendees are tribal. In conversation I find that tribal governments are universally despised as crooked, incompotent, etc. I ask why so? One of the more intriguing explanations I heard today: democracy is an alien imposition on tribal cultures which have other ways of raising up leaders; democratic processes tend to reward politicians (in the bad sense of the word) rather than raise up leaders. Ironically enough, the Founders of the US would have understood. By "tribal governments" we do not mean the Bureau of Indian Affairs, etc., but rather the self-government structures of each tribe.
5. Another explanation of the above: since friendship and kinship ties matter so much for tribal people (as they do in all traditional societies), then people in power necessarily reward their friends and relatives. In another context, (a discussion of gang activity on reservations), one man said--our tribe has found we have had to federalize gang-related law-breaking. They are not afraid of the tribal police or jails, they say, "go ahead, put me in jail, my aunt ----- will bring me food I like and my uncle ----- will let me out nights."
6. National gangs are a growing problem even on reservations. Perhaps more on this later.
1. You can learn a lot about a town by riding city busses. To save money I and the person I traveled with took a city bus from the Phoenix Airport to the Cook Conference Center/School (founded years ago to serve Indian Churches). Phoenix folk were very friendly and helpful, driver and passengers. My opinion of this town now is higher.
2. Have I ever mentioned I am frugal? I refer to myself as a true conservative--I read all restaurant menus from right to left.
3. Our dominant culture is crazy. Along University Avenue I see grass planted, with sprinkler systems installed. You have moved to the desert, people! It is dry here. Go with it, don't fight it. Adapt, change. Instead we usually seek to dominate our local environments. As the Phoenix area grows, where will the water come from to water this turf?
4. I am one of the few Anglos here. Most of the attendees are tribal. In conversation I find that tribal governments are universally despised as crooked, incompotent, etc. I ask why so? One of the more intriguing explanations I heard today: democracy is an alien imposition on tribal cultures which have other ways of raising up leaders; democratic processes tend to reward politicians (in the bad sense of the word) rather than raise up leaders. Ironically enough, the Founders of the US would have understood. By "tribal governments" we do not mean the Bureau of Indian Affairs, etc., but rather the self-government structures of each tribe.
5. Another explanation of the above: since friendship and kinship ties matter so much for tribal people (as they do in all traditional societies), then people in power necessarily reward their friends and relatives. In another context, (a discussion of gang activity on reservations), one man said--our tribe has found we have had to federalize gang-related law-breaking. They are not afraid of the tribal police or jails, they say, "go ahead, put me in jail, my aunt ----- will bring me food I like and my uncle ----- will let me out nights."
6. National gangs are a growing problem even on reservations. Perhaps more on this later.
17/01: Britain's Only Black Farmer
Category: General
Posted by: an okie gardener
I am a sucker for an underdog-chasing-his-dream story, especially if the story has a happy ending. Here, from Breitbart, the story of the son of Jamaican immigrant parents to Britain who pursued his dream of owning a farm, has realized that dream, has contributed to the social well-being of the nation, and now is standing for Parliement as a Conservative candidate. Three Cheers!
13/01: For Your Consideration
Photognome calls our attention a couple of interesting items.
First, to Judge Robert H. Dierker, Jr., and his book The Tyranny of Tolerance: A Sitting Judge Breaks the Code of Silence to Expose the Liberal Judicial Assault . I've not read the book, nor heard of Dierker, but like the title. Anyone out there read this book?
Second, to the website Ralph the Sacred River, who combines Christianity, erudition, and humor.
First, to Judge Robert H. Dierker, Jr., and his book The Tyranny of Tolerance: A Sitting Judge Breaks the Code of Silence to Expose the Liberal Judicial Assault . I've not read the book, nor heard of Dierker, but like the title. Anyone out there read this book?
Second, to the website Ralph the Sacred River, who combines Christianity, erudition, and humor.
06/01: Treasures Too Seldom Opened
Category: General
Posted by: an okie gardener
The WSJ, as part of its continuing series of "Five Best," has this piece by Clive James on the best volumes of poetry. God bless him for extoling the Masters: Yeats, Frost, Auden, Wilbur, Larkin. I now have a New Year's Resolution to gain weight to complement my resolution to lose pounds.
Category: General
Posted by: an okie gardener
While back up in the home country of northern Missouri between Christmas and New Year's, I saw two things I never imagined.
First, the local paper carried a picture of a mountain lion taken in Livingston County, not too far from home. The cat had activated a camera left along a deer trail to count deer. The big cats are starting to move back into Missouri, preying on the deer. Wow. Mountain lions back in Missouri after all these years. Resulting from a tremendous increase in the number of deer compared to 50 years ago, protected status, and also (I assume) from the depopulation of rural Missouri. Like much of the Midwest, most rural north Missouri counties peaked in population between 1900 and 1920.
Second, I saw fresh sign of moles at work in late December on the family farm. Never before have I seen that. Even the warmer winters I remember left the ground too cool. Those who try to deny climate change are whistling in the dark. See this earlier post.
First, the local paper carried a picture of a mountain lion taken in Livingston County, not too far from home. The cat had activated a camera left along a deer trail to count deer. The big cats are starting to move back into Missouri, preying on the deer. Wow. Mountain lions back in Missouri after all these years. Resulting from a tremendous increase in the number of deer compared to 50 years ago, protected status, and also (I assume) from the depopulation of rural Missouri. Like much of the Midwest, most rural north Missouri counties peaked in population between 1900 and 1920.
Second, I saw fresh sign of moles at work in late December on the family farm. Never before have I seen that. Even the warmer winters I remember left the ground too cool. Those who try to deny climate change are whistling in the dark. See this earlier post.
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