38 by Layli Long Soldier
38 Dakota men
Layli Long Soldier introduces us to the poem 38 with a brief introduction on what to expect from the poem. The poem is not a creative pice nor is it an accurate telling of history. However, this poem is dedicated and represents the 38 men that were hanged by president Lincoln in 1862.
For fighting for their rights to land, fighting for equality and fighting against colonization.
However, even though this poem speaks of acts that happened centuries ago, one needs to remember that these acts were not at all in any way wiped out with time or space. These acts were direct cases of genocide, that still continue to permeate our western colonized polices today.
Living in South Africa, a country whereby the fight for land and the ongoing struggle for reinstatement is continuous, it is evident that the fires of land and native genocide are still furiously burning around us. Not only was land taken from the natives that once found these spaces their homes, but with it their identities were robbed and forgotten about as well.
For example before the colonization of South Africa, the Koi San once lived off the land, with peace and tranquility, there were no wars, not hate and no demolishing or destroying of land. Civilization tore apart what was once a place that fed the natives and homed an entire community.
The Koi San have been pushed out and now reside in a place that is not of traditional comfort.
Similar to the context of the South African context, is the idea that the Natives living within America were wiped out and pushed aside, making space for the development of western and colonial civilization. They are now known as Red Indians. These American natives are not at all Indians and the name stuck because a western colonizer mixed up his geography and thought America was India.
The fact that in a modern society today, with unlimited resources and teachings, people still continue this legacy of calling American natives Red Indians. Dressing up as them for halloween events, producing films and childrens toys, all for popular culture and capitalist gain. However no one steps back to question, is this the right representation of the Native American's that were robbed of their land? Is this the respectful and accurate way to go about portraying a culture that has already lost so much? No.
The idea the native Americans have already lost so much and yet no one has the respect to step back and investigate into their history and culture and portray it the correct way. There is no history of these wiped out cultures because no one cared to find out about their culture or their traditions, instead all that mattered was making sure they were all relocated and shifted else where, so that the western culture and the colonial boss could land a space for his civilized capitalist tower.
We need to make sure that when we are speaking about cultures or even attempting to portray them in dress up or performance, we understand and make sure that we have the right information and traditional history. Imagine someone came and took over your house moved you out and then continued to portray you as an uncivilized human being, and when you fought back, not only for your house (your rightfully owned land) but your dignity and identity - you were hanged.
Layli Long Soldier introduces us to the poem 38 with a brief introduction on what to expect from the poem. The poem is not a creative pice nor is it an accurate telling of history. However, this poem is dedicated and represents the 38 men that were hanged by president Lincoln in 1862.
For fighting for their rights to land, fighting for equality and fighting against colonization.
However, even though this poem speaks of acts that happened centuries ago, one needs to remember that these acts were not at all in any way wiped out with time or space. These acts were direct cases of genocide, that still continue to permeate our western colonized polices today.
Living in South Africa, a country whereby the fight for land and the ongoing struggle for reinstatement is continuous, it is evident that the fires of land and native genocide are still furiously burning around us. Not only was land taken from the natives that once found these spaces their homes, but with it their identities were robbed and forgotten about as well.
For example before the colonization of South Africa, the Koi San once lived off the land, with peace and tranquility, there were no wars, not hate and no demolishing or destroying of land. Civilization tore apart what was once a place that fed the natives and homed an entire community.
The Koi San have been pushed out and now reside in a place that is not of traditional comfort.
Similar to the context of the South African context, is the idea that the Natives living within America were wiped out and pushed aside, making space for the development of western and colonial civilization. They are now known as Red Indians. These American natives are not at all Indians and the name stuck because a western colonizer mixed up his geography and thought America was India.
The fact that in a modern society today, with unlimited resources and teachings, people still continue this legacy of calling American natives Red Indians. Dressing up as them for halloween events, producing films and childrens toys, all for popular culture and capitalist gain. However no one steps back to question, is this the right representation of the Native American's that were robbed of their land? Is this the respectful and accurate way to go about portraying a culture that has already lost so much? No.
The idea the native Americans have already lost so much and yet no one has the respect to step back and investigate into their history and culture and portray it the correct way. There is no history of these wiped out cultures because no one cared to find out about their culture or their traditions, instead all that mattered was making sure they were all relocated and shifted else where, so that the western culture and the colonial boss could land a space for his civilized capitalist tower.
We need to make sure that when we are speaking about cultures or even attempting to portray them in dress up or performance, we understand and make sure that we have the right information and traditional history. Imagine someone came and took over your house moved you out and then continued to portray you as an uncivilized human being, and when you fought back, not only for your house (your rightfully owned land) but your dignity and identity - you were hanged.
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