I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
Sitting BullRead
What white man has ever seen me drunk? Who has ever come to me hungry and left me unfed? Who has seen me beat my wives or abuse my children? What law have I broken?
Interpretation
Sitting Bull questions societal perceptions of Indigenous people, asserting his integrity and strength in the face of discrimination.
In this quote, Sitting Bull challenges the stereotypes and prejudices held against him and his people by asking probing rhetorical questions. He emphasizes his dignity, self-control, and commitment to caring for his family and community, defying the negative narratives perpetuated by society. His statements reveal a powerful assertion of identity and resistance against unjust treatment.
In practice
During a speech focusing on overcoming adversity.
I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
I want to tell you that if the Great Spirit had chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.
Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country?
When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to battle. Where are the warriors today? Who slew them? Where are our lands? Who owns them?
Therefore, I do not wish to consider any proposition to cede any portion of our tribal holdings to the Great Father.
I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.
Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop of my blood... will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic.
I am afraid of a lot of things. A dog. I could be afraid of a dog that's upset, for example. And on the tennis courts, maybe on the outside I look fearless, but on the inside, I'm scared. There's not one player in the world who isn't nervous before matches. Especially important matches.
I was fine being in the closet at the beginning of my career because that's what you were supposed to be - until I realized that it didn't serve anybody, and I was left feeling utterly empty. This is who I am, so I've gotta be me.
I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.
Our work for human dignity is often lonely, and almost always an uphill climb. At times, our efforts are misunderstood, and we are mistaken for the enemy. There has been a clear erosion of respect for U.N. blue and our impartiality.
The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.
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