Look at me. I was a warrior on this land where the sun rises, now I come from where the sun sets. Whose voice was first surrounded on this land - the red people with bows and arrows. The Great Father says he is good and kind to us. I can't see it.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the struggle and perspective of Indigenous people, contrasting their past as warriors with their present circumstances.
By Red Cloud's words, we see a poignant commentary on the experiences of Indigenous peoples, who once thrived as warriors but now face challenges and uncertainties in a world that has often marginalized them. The reference to the sun rising and setting symbolizes the shift from a time of strength and pride in their heritage to a present filled with doubt about the promises made by those in power. This quote serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities and questions the sincerity of intentions behind the 'good and kind' sentiments often expressed by authorities.
In practice
This quote can be used at a cultural gathering to honor Indigenous heritage and reflect on the historical struggles they faced.
I am poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation. We do not want riches but we do want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches. We want peace and love.
The Great Spirit will not make me suffer because I am ignorant. He will put me in a place where I shall be better off than in this world.
When I was a young man, I was poor. In a war with other nations, I was in eighty-seven fights. There I received my name and was made Chief of my nation. But now I am old and am for peace.
We were told that they wished merely to pass through our country. . . to seek for gold in the far west . . . Yet before the ashes of the council are cold, the Great Father is building his forts among us. . . . His presence here is . . . an insult to the spirits of our ancestors. Are we then to give up their sacred graves to be allowed for corn?
It is too bad that the public expects from me, always, perfection which it is impossible for me always to attain. I am not a machine. I am a human being.
There's no question that O.J. Simpson had been a substitute white man in America. He had gained honorary white status. He was not viewed by many white Americans as black. He was not seen as the African American athlete who was rebellious: Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron... He was accepted in golf clubs that were very tony.
Every harlot was a virgin once.
The first-beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye.
Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered. I myself would say that it had merely been detected.
The human faculties of perception, judgment, discriminative feeling, mental activity, and even moral preference, are exercised only in making a choice. He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice.
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