Very well written! As far as hate mail, I look at this way.....one must be doing something right, or the dark side would not be so upset! It is when no one says anything that I get concerned. I dont care the color of a mans skin, or the religious beliefs He has, if he refuses to speak his beliefs, he is nothing. You my friend, have never been short on words. Good for You!
Our youth today look at us for guidance, and wisdom. It is up to us to share the right paths with them. Truth is always the best medicine. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it is necessary for growth. If our Leaders and Elders do not stand up for our truths and beliefs, what will our youth do when it is their turn in the circle of life? If all we give them is despair and lies, they will not grow into adults with a purpose. They will be lost. There will be no Leaders of tommorrow. That is sad reality.
For any woman to expose herself for money or publicity in these trash rags, is abhorable. Women are delicate creatures who should be taught FIRST....RESPECT YOURSELF. Then others will respect you in kind. Women are the mothers of our future, and should act as such. Motherhood is an honor, by the way, not to be taken lightly. It is a mothers responsiblity to teach her children the right way. To give that child love, hope, and encouragement, so they may grow into responsible adults. It is also a mothers duty when she sees another child in need, to reach out to that child. What has happened to this? I don't see much of this anymore.
As far as being liked....well, you said it perfectly my friend, I would rather be hated for telling the truth than to be liked for telling a lie. Be all you can be today, for tommorrow there will be new challenges. To not stand up for what you believe, means you believe nothing. Keep Smiling! It makes people wonder what you are up to :)
Blessings, Love and Light my friend.
 

Well said Bonny Eagle, words of wisdom.    Cheers, Brenda
 

BROTHER,
Even though you and have not met, we share many points of view and Truths that our
People need to hear.
Speaking the Truth is always Very Hard because it elimanates all those with agendas.
Keep the the Great Work, our Grandchildren will benefit from your strength,
E2M
 

If only all parents taught kids about love and acceptance, honor and accountability! These are the building stones of a good well adjusted person. We as a society accept all kinds of things and ways of life that are not acceptable, and we just turn our heads and pretend we see nothing! It is so sad and to tell you the truth, I have no idea how to change it. I have taught my children to be the ones that stop and help the weak, not to just turn away when they see someone being harmed. I am very pleased to say i have seen my 22 and 18 year old kids help someone in need. I taught them well and i am proud that if they only got one thing from me it is compassion for others. Keep up the good fight! Keep blogging, if you get through to one person you have made a change for the good.
 

When REDSKIN was first promoting itself, and before it was printed, a friend of mine called and told me about it--she was helping to get the word out about it at the time. I immediately questioned her about the name, and her response was that it was OK--that it would be a way to 'desensitize' that negative and turn it into a positive since it would be published by and for natives--that it would be a way to 'reclaim' that name, and make it a positive thing.

I didn't agree with--nor understand--that rationale then; nor do I now. Excellent references here and excellent Blog!
 

I think you brought up valid points. My son's Father is a Native American. I am a full mix. One thing we all agree on, even my parents, manners are gone! Humans are in such a hurry, keeping up with the Jone's, greed, possesions. The family bonds have broken down. My family believes in The Golden Rule, Do No Harn, respect all life, and walk in love. We all need to strengthen our family bonds. Yes, and improve manners. Thank-you for this post. I am sure some will wonder what I am. I am German, English, and Irish w/cathloic on my Fathers side. I am Russian, Polish and Hungarian w/Jewish on my Mothers side. I send you love, Lorie
 

Good points! My family for the most part won't even recognize their Native side as family lt alone their mixed blood.
As for myself I wish I had had more time with my Great Great and Great grandmothers the things I can never learn now, makes me sad! All I can dois be true too myself and the world!
 Lacking the guidance I can only hope that I'm on the path!
 

It all boils down to ignorance. I'm embarrassed to say that I was ignorant of what the real history of this country is until recent years and I still have a lot more to learn. I'm deeply saddened at the "culture" of the US, it's genocide of the Native Americans, and our complete disregard for the truth. I don't even know how to say what I'm feeling. From what I've read and learned, Native Americans should have been looked at as people to learn from and revere, not destroyed. Please, I can only imagine what a daunting task it must be, but please don't let such a beautiful and advanced culture completely disappear.
 

Very wise words!!!!!
 

Well Said---I know we've talked bout the magazine before---For those of you who don't know anything about this so called magazine...they not only use a racial term, but they have no concern w/ helping the native communities...in fact, i met one of the directors for it.....he told me first coul dmodel or write for them...i was like yea right....the basic theory behind the magazine is a strong sexual theme----when they interviewed a well known native artist bout being in rehab etc....you would think they would ask how are you, are you hangin in etc? Nnnooooppppppeeee wrong! They literally wanted to know the gossip of who he "banged in there "etc....n i quote! n more....this goes to show the mentality of some natives...if thas help--then i'd choose to be helpless.

Thanks Graywolf-
 

As I once said before words spoken by a very wise man..... great full to be a friend
 

Your argument is valid and on the mark. Every great civilization has fallen from within. MKeep up the gfood fight.
 

Very well written my friend I have to agree with you. We as a people need to remember the values our ancestors tried to instill in us and when we disrepect ourselves or even others it is a slap in the face to those before us that wanted us to love this earth have respect for ourselves and others and to walk in harmony with our fellow man. We have to stand up and say the things you have because we then are being what was so hard fought for us to be even if people do not always like it we must always speak what is in our heart and you do that so wonderfully my friend
 

My friend, as always, truthful and straight to the point. As you know, I am not Native American, but I can say that the Native Americans have left a legacy of truth, honor and bravery. By speaking out you are simply carrying on that legacy; if there is hate mail from it then you surely must have stepped on the toes of the 'dark side' .. which usually means you spoke the truth; why else would they be upset by what you write?

I had to chuckle when your one writer listed her heritage. Just the other day I heard Obama refer to us as "European-Americans"... When I first wrote you many months ago I told you that it must be wonderful to be a Native American because you know exactly where your heritage is; My grandfather (the only one I knew) was Dutch-Irish; my grandmother was German and my other grandmother was heaven only knows. In my family are people with very black hair, blonde hair, light brown hair and red hair. You might say, "Heinz 57".

Speak up for what you believe and what is right. For every ten who curse you - one hundred are listening.
 

I agree with a lot of things on here--and I do believe the world we have evolved int oat this point in all walks have devastated the morale of all cultures. We are forgetting how much of who we are--all of us as people. I do think one thing that will help us all is going back to the idea that there is something greater than ourselves altogether. There is nothing negative here, you are expressing what you need to say...I was told one what is popular, isn't always right, and what is right isn't always popular. I think we are all suffering from a case of what i like to call popularity anxiety disorder--and that is what is causing the breakdown everywhere, not just with the Native Americans. I usually keep in the shadows and I am learning about myself right now, but I am always peeking around to see how my friends are doing. Yes, Graywolf, you are a friend to me.
And I do understand. Do know that you have every right to speak your mind. And I always enjoyed that about you. But do know, there are folks that do feel the same way about their place in the world, too--
HUGS TO YOU, my friend-
Sophia-
the gypsy poet...
 

As a native and a woman, I had to comment on this. I see where you are coming from in this blog. I wanted to approach your comment on Native American Woman getting respect when they act in a traditional and respectful manner. I understand where you are coming from about being as sleazy as the women in the "white world" and I come in respect for you as an elder.
I have never seen the redskin magazine you are talking about, but what I wanted to say is that woman should be respected because they are woman. Yes, we should have dignity and honor and I believe that the white views on woman are totally warped. According to the "white ways" we are valued by our appearance and not our character. But I think if all woman, especially Native were shown love and respect becuase we are valuable as people then maybe those of us who have no self honor will begin to grow in this area.
Maybe if these woman had family members (fathers) who spent time with them and showed them that they are important and deserve love and respect, they would'nt go seeking it by means that are only false and temporary. We as woman all know that physical beauty fades and that it is the beauty within that continues forever.
Maybe some of these woman did have good fathers. That isnt always the case.
But trying to gain attention (love) and acceptance, by means of showing your body is just a temporary fix. It will not last. I would say walk in truth and self love, then we as woman wouldnt seek after these things for acceptance.
I, personally think that it is the womans choice to do these things and should be respected and loved either way. And that our bodies should be celebrated. In some cases nudity is considered an art, but not when it is tainted by false ideas and wrong reasons.
 

thank you Grey wolf!...always...its so hard to walk in my great great grandfathers shoes...
but i try,...some people understand some laugh,but then some people are lost!....

a saponi/Tuscarora wave from Tucson!
 

You are so right, and you said it very well.
 

GRAYWOLF, you speak Truth and teach Respect and Honor. Thank you for standing up and being an Elder and Mentor for our people. You are correct when you say that we must learn and return to the Spirituallity and Traditions of our Ancestors and then teach our children thru our example as well!
 

Very well said!
 

You have strong points! Over the Growing years the Youth are culture into conforming into something that is a potential customer. The wonen are Led in direction of Stand Up and be heard by source's saying it is an equality issue. Leaders and Elders do not know how to deliver themselve's to their parton's because they have conformed that there is a Generation Gap and such because of their own conformity and lack of accountibility. Where are the beleifs in the Miracle's of Life. The Pointing out that we are all part of a Big Herd and we have evolved in our own special ways because of the Miracle and the Holy One, love's Vairity.
We are taught in the Beginning to the end and see and Hear in ourselves and Others the Control issue's that Demise our growing with all culture's and acceptining the Simple.
Is it to late, Never........It is in education of delivering with the Heart, the true Brain, not the feeling from the mind that cause us to hate and think it is important to have the GI Joe with the Kung-Fu Grip because it is a Status of Social Class.
Where Does the Wind Start? In our Love. Where is Our Love, who would you call Brother and Sister? Tim
 

As always, well said brother....WELL SAID!
 

Amen my brother.I guess you can say their's enough fault to go all around.We need to get back to traditions and the spirituality of our ancestors.Then maybe some day when we smarten up we can all come together as a united Turtle Island people
 

Dear GrayWolf,

I am in agreement with you 100%. I have the utmost respect for you, and how your
spirit respects and cares for the wellbeing of our people.
It is the tuth that will set you free. I am gratefull for your honesty and truth. I am honored to have been able to walk softly through your circle of knowledge.
You are a leader. A leader of trying to maintain the respect, spiritually and culture of our people.
You are an important mentor, who will always stand up for what you believe, and that is truth.
So, thank you Graywolf for being you. I am blessed for having learned much from you.
I will always stand by you.

Walk In Peace, my friend.

Many blessings to you and yours always.

MorningStar
 

I have to say the gang thug mentallity has been found in all races Black people are Hispanics make up the majority of this Thug/Gang Culture. Unfortunately our Native poeples are most vulnarable becuase of the lack in leadership with our Native ranks, Loss of teaching and idenity.
we have been playing catch up for so long now we as a people are caught in the middle being pulled in different directions (Living In Two worlds will always be our Reality) No matter how we try and tear that Frybread. this filters inot all those other things you are saying a) what kind of a people are we going to be One hundred years from now is the toughest question?
I have no doubt we will exist but thte real question will be will the Native's people idenity survive? will it be around? NATIVE POEPLE WITHOUT THE TRADITIONAL WAYS AND CULTURE IS NOT A NATIVE POEPLE AT ALL
 

Thanks for saying things that many others refuse too. You continue to inspire and awaken those who you come into contact with.
 

GRAYWOLF FOR PRESIDENT! That will make the world a better...more educated place!
 

I think it is the corporate side of the "white world" that has pushed this as a way to make a lot of money. I don't think it is accepted by all people who would be considered to be in the "white world." And I know what you mean about this, as we have discussed it. My point being that not all white women act this way or want to be thought of as "Girls Gone Wild."

I am perplexed at the cultural shift in America to where spring breaks or drunk girls flashing their breasts has become a rite of passage in some twisted way. But just because it is all over the TV does not mean everyone feels that way. We are all being sold that notion, and the marketing starts for these kids as soon as they are sat in front of the TV. You can make any kind of assertion, but it should not all be pinned on one group. It would not be fair to say that this behavior was accepted by women in the "black world" either just because women are not even half-dressed and grinding in rap videos and the some of the songs pretty much seem to say women are for sale for a flashy car or some bling.

I think we are all of us being sold some kind of idea of this as either empowerment or they way everyone should act. Not everyone acts this way or believes in it, but there are a lot of people making money off of it.

Since you and I spoke, I hope you really know that when I posted the amendment to the bulletin I did not mean I was offended by what you said or thought you felt white women were sleazy. What I mean is I don't want us to buy into any stereotypes, even if we think we are not. This culture of half-dressed women pretty much acting either in heat or for sale or just plain drunken debacle, well... that is what sells. People are buying it all the time.

I see comments on everyone's pages that have scantily dressed native women who are looking almost orgasmic. I know you have mentioned that before in a bulletin, Graywolf, about how you don't like those. Hopefully we will all think about how our actions add up when we, perhaps without thinking, buy into those notions and continue to sell those ideas but then don’t like some of the results.

I don't want us to pin it on one world, though, like the "white world." What white world anyway? There is an idea for white people, just like there is for all natives, that there is only one culture and one group. I think when people refer to the white world, they may not realize this. What is the white culture? WASPS who have money? Would it be more British or more French? Would it include those who are classed as white on a census form but celebrate Hanukkah and eat kosher? They are considered white too, but are not the same white culture as a Catholic going to mass or an atheist. Would it be people of the Midwest? They are different in some things than Californians and different than Southerners or Notherners.

Is it the vegetarian PETA lovers or the gun-toting hunting enthusiasts? They may both be white, but they are not really the same culture.

This is a somewhat long-winded explanation about why we have to be careful what we say and do, whether we post native pin-up comments on here or pin a an idea on one world. It has a lot to do about money too.


Erin: How awful!!! Why do people insist on being obsessed with sex, like asking that question "who did you bang" in rehab? I am sure the answer was enlightening and cured cancer.


~Gypsy Sunshine~: I agree, beautifully put: "what I wanted to say is that woman should be respected because they are woman." I agree that not all things should fall into the sleazy category and that people should have freedom of choice and respect.


Good blog post, Graywolf. :)
 

I know this post is not about whites but on a side note that white community is really a combo of very different people. Whites have no clue about how some of other whites believe and for the most part don’t care. All they want is to be able to look around and feel safe in a world that looks like them. I am German, English and Scottish and know little about any of them. White is a melting pot of whatever it takes to end up with white skin. If you pass that test you are white. Funny that there is a pride that comes from having to fight to protect who you are that people who are handed it without a fight will never understand.
 

I agree what you speak about to a certain point but I feel again people are stereotyping white women as sleazy women and not all white women are that way. Thats all I have to say about that...thank you
 

I appreciate the opportunity to say what I think is going on with all of these contradictions happening in our communities. It's interesting that you mention "hipocrisy or just the way it is" cuz the way I see it is that hiposcrisy is the way it is. There are so many mixed messages going on on all levels and so much upheaval happening inside of our reserves and in the cities. Alot of the people who are leading in the area of culture and healing and otherwise, are wounded healers/leaders themselves and some growing into being "Elders". We live by a double standard of truth, that which we know to be true and the truth. As we are healing, decolonizing, getting our voices back our land and our culture is being stolen/sold right from under our noses. We have alot of "elders" in the area where I live now who, impose their beliefs that we "must share it all with everyone." "this is our way." or we must compromise and sell out our right into the future...etc..etc.. We have non Natives teaching our children our so called culture in the school system and these "elders" guiding and calling the shots in the area of culture within the institutions, schools, prisons, universities etc. The further we go down that road the whackier it gets. I think that these kind of injustices and sickness needs to be exposed in a big way and on a grand scale. I think we really do need to get organized and push for change on all levels. But we also need to empower and make space for our voices to be heard so that our people can know that it is really time to speak up and there is power in numbers.
Thank you so much Graywolf for making that wakeup call and for saying that which alot of people just think or wonder about. As far as the sexual display/messages and the 'REDSKIN MAGAZINE', I haven't seen the magazine but I can imagine that there is so much of our images out there and so much marketing hype in every area...nothing is sacred and our own people are exploiting us...and joining mainstream in producing images that they've grown up watching on tv, news, magazines...and I think it is time to shout, scream and holler..NO!
 

great response---thank-you and all the others that have responded
 

From the time I was in college in the late 70's to the present, I have heard how increasingly difficult it is to keep the Native American youth involved in the history, language and culture of their heritage. I, personally, growing up in Montana, always felt deep sorrow and shame over the desecration suffered by Native American land's and people at the hands of the white man. This doesn't mean my ancestors had no honor. In the beginning, as a whole, white man came to this country escaping the brutality and evil of their fellow white man/politicians. Even the churches chose to keep the peasants and poor people ignorant so they could control and use them. History proves that all man has fought and killed, raped, pillaged and stolen what they want from other cultures and peoples. It seems however, that white man has excelled most. I truly believe Native American people have always had more respect for our planet. Perhaps at one time all mankind did ... White man seems to have lost it most of it.
Today people seem drawn to the truths that have been honored and celebrated by Native American's for thousands of years. I feel sorrow that as a "white woman", I cannot lay claim to any of the heritage or honor of the many Native American tribes that lived in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.
The gangsta' and hip hop attitude has seeped into every culture and school in America. I went home for a visit to Billings Montana this summer, and while there attended the state fair. I was prepared to see Montanan type activities. Instead the entertainment by the young people were hip hop dance routines. I'm not saying hip hop is bad by itself. The dancers obviously had worked hard. However, I saw farmers and ranchers, cowboy, and Native Americans who sat and stood and just kinda watched w/dismay and the most incredulous looks on their faces. Because it was not the way "we" Montanan's did things ... I was sad that what annoyed me on the East Coast had found it's way to cowboy country. I think what bothers me is that it seemed false and contrived. It seemed forced and like play acting. They say mimicking is the greatest form of flattery, but this didn't seem the case.
More young Native American people are getting their educations and returning to their home towns and family to bring their intellect, trade, vocations and college degrees home to bless them. Passion for one's heritage and culture is not appreciated by youth today ... not the way it used to be. Even things I was taught as a young person are not respected today. I don't know where we lost it. Perhaps when women were forced to have to work outside the home to put food on the table. Perhaps when more families were ripped apart by divorce. Everthing seems false and superficial. Lip service and double talk. Bullshit and lies. No honor. No respect. It's not so different in other cultures, it's just a greater sadness relative to more to lose within the Native American people. They always had more regard, honor and respect. I don't know how as a culture I would feel to have my home and land stolen and still owned to this day by someone else or the government. I know mineral, water and oil rights are being fought for still in Montana between Native American's and the government.
I've found the depth of my passion and convictions (regarding the ugliness, lack of justice, and double standards) in rallying for justice denied Native American's is usually suffered alone. Native Americans have something I've never felt or "owned". That is unity of spirit and heritage that is rich w/honor and truth.
I believe the evil in the world today is the most evil mankind has ever endured. Because family has been forgotten, undermined and disregarded. Much of the family's duties for their children is being carried out by schools and government. By strangers. We are all being made to think and feel the same ... individuality is frowned upon.
I agree w/your message. I share your anger and frustration. I offer my respect and gratitude for your truth and courage. I love you my brother in this world we live in today.
 

Thank you! your are so right if we don't start respecting ourselves no one else will.
 

Well said my friend!! I couldnt agree more!!!!
 

Although I don't believe it's for me to say how the First People should be
I can say this is good for me to keep in my heart
As I know I can thoughtlessly encourage the negative
Because of my white culture.
I know what I can do
and that is to respect pride, dignity, culture and family
and remember to be an example for my children and the children I work with
 

Dear GrayWolf,

Everything you have written are words of truth. In the eyes of the Great Father, however, these issues are not unique to just one culture, it is from within your beloved culture which your heart is closest and loves , so I understand from where you write. In all respect...as a "white woman" whose family embraces African American /Lakota.. and whose children have bloodlines from Native-European- to Africa...... these challenges of ethics embrace and attack all cultures of the human Spirit. As we move into the coming of times as a unique and enlightening ascension of the earth in the universe.....Thousands of people, Indigenous, European, Asian and African are gathering to raise the Consciousness of our earth's peoples. The "white culture"...is not unique to "whites"..... The Dark SIde....exists all over our earth in every shade of color...their tools are many...greed...money....false promises....alcohol..... profit.....TV.....drugs...shopping malls.....anger...self righteousness....sexuallity, domination....the list goes on.<P>
Our Indigenous brothers and sisters from through out the planet tell the stories of Our Star Ancestors... The keys of Consciousness & Creation. True, it is very unfortunate that so many many 'whites" have bought into the Dark Side of self gratification, materialism, sexuality for profit...egoism and tools of destruction, yet this ideology is true in it's existences by our African Bothers & Sisters in Africa......(genocide)n South America.....(drugs)China..... (more genocide and control) These issues you speak of are issues of history.. that attack and inhabit the Souls & Spirits of humanity.

A Lakota elder once told me..that if you have a problem in life....that if you look into the past, your chances of finding the right answer is likely very slim. The earth teaches us that life is evolutionary..and in understanding ourselves, we must understand our earth. Everywhere we look, we see that life evolves....and so it is true, that all of us as a human race must evolve too. This means in essence to me..... the truth you speak of..... is the truth of all cultures maintaining the respect of the Spirit they carry in themselves, their communities, honoring rituals and beliefs of Truth in fighting the dark forces that infiltrates any mind or heart that leaves themselves open to being attacked or contaminated by these ecobeings of darkness. In the Spiritual world there is a great fight that still is being fought.....this darkness is gripping tighter and tighter as it's final days are coming to an end.
Each of us in our own worlds must walk as teachers, guides, mentors and rays of light to change whoever may be
affected by wrong thinking and contaminated Consciousness. Keeping on walking Greywolf...keep on talking....keep on...keeping on in Truth and Light.

Many Blessings` to you and yours
Katrina _()_
 

Thank You katrina . So eloquintly written.AS a mixed hispanic, Native,European/white Woman I agree whole heartedly with your comment.
The Ancestors have predicted the evolution of our earth and all of it inhabitants..We are all to be one people bringing our knowledge and tradition and walking and talking them today. I am one human who choses to focus on the youth that "are "listening and actually hearing the right way to go. Our time in the seen world is so limited.  There will always be exploiters...However it my belief that Love and truth will always prevail.........Thank You GreyWolf for all of your Blogs ..They always provoke thought and give me much inspiration.
 

I gave kudos earlier but didn't comment because I wasn't sure if it'd be welcome. Silly me. :) So this time I'll give you two more kudoes and my comments as well.

Honestly, I don't think most of the issues you bring up are only Native issues, but HUMAN issues. It seems like everybody's gone mad these days, and nobody gives a care about anything but money and sex. I have had some real issues with my kids trying to teach them to respect their elders, to listen more and complain less, and to be respectful of ALL humanity. I feel I'm fighting the battle alone. It's nice to know there are others out there.

Everyone can learn a lot from you, sir.

Blessings,
Twyla
 

you are most welcome to respond---as are all others! these issues that I bring up affect all people not just my own---
 

Its all true what you state brother! I have seen it first hand in some ways. They call it Native politics. Then they have these wanna be medicine men who use witchcraft. These so call Medicine men also charge MONEY for their services with greedy prices. Then I have seen how one family thinks their better than their neighbors. Native parents need to be held accountability of their children and Native men need to quit going around getting women pregnant and leaving the woman to raise the children alone while they go around pumping up more women and being irresponsible. Tradition must return as well as the respect one one another. What is going on now is nothing but the RED MAN in WHITE MANS clothing. Come on! Lets make the reservations a place of respect dignity and progress and not looking like third world countries. Its time to forget about the White man and get rolling on our own,,,,,,,NO REGRETS!!!!!
 

I wish that more people like you would realize that all this

ignorant rap and hip hop crap is giving our black culture a

bad name. It has done nothing but create a stereotype for

all black people. Society expects a blackman to sag his pants

and be in a gang. Im not that type of blackman...my mother

showed me the ignorance of the hip hop or rap culture. Our

african american ancestors didn't die for us to become so

damn ignorant. It has allowed the word "Nigga" to become a

a regular social word and it makes me sick to damn stomach.

There are alot of positive blackmen like me in the world

they are just hard to find. I grew up around gangs and drugs

but i chose to live a different life. I chose to listen to

positive music. I chose to show respect people of my kind

and other cultures. I chose not to hate but to luv,

understand, and respect people the way i would want to be

respected. I dont refer to women as "bitches or hoes". I

don't refer to my fellow brothers and sisters as "Niggas".

It's such an ignorant word, but hip hop and ignorant rap has

allowed it to be used socially. I sorry that your culture

has to deal with this mess. I hope the world will wake up

one day and see the ignorance it has produced before its too

late. Well i hope to hear from you soon...take care and God

bless my friend.
 

Wado Mr. Hawkinz!! for sharing the truth! Being a musician and having to spend hours learning to actually play my instrument, the guitar, and seeing Rap and Hip-Hop Crap promoting violence and disrespect to women, stealing music and calling it their own "creation", encouraging disrespect to their elders and parents, and the NEGATIVE influence the lyrics has had throughout society is sickening. It has been like a poisonous rattlesnake striking our world with it's venom.
 

As I said before---Blacks have not pushed this culture on our people, our tribal youth has stolen it and tried to make it our own---sad as it has done nothing positive for blacks as my friend has so eloquently stated, and it has absolutely done nothing positive for us---GREAT RESPONSE!
 

"BECAUSE THEY FAIL TO STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH" The problem with "truth" is that it has become a mix of reality, and faith, and you can't have your cake and eat it too. The 'old ways" was the reality, of what could be touched, felt, seen, heard, tasted and smelled as part of a universe, and "that" was it's spirituality. Then the white man came, and their "truth" was faith, and anyone who is not brain dead, knows what happened, and that includes the "old ways" and "new ways" Native people. This mix of "truths" has become so distorted, that you can't even determine what truth is any longer, and now the white wannabes, and many false and assimilated Native peoples are trying to have the cake of the old ways as they once were, and eat it too.
Our youth can not go back, and they can not go forward when reality becomes non-reality, as it's spoken by elders who want to have their cake and eat it too, and fail to perceive that reality will indeed be the final judge.
 

Well said John!
 

It's a vicious circle from generation to generation, with every generation getting worse and worse. Somewhere, someone got into this loop of destruction and just perpetuated it over and over. The only way to stop it, is for those (like you) to stand up and say, "no more, it stops here". A person tries and tries and gets no result - their only hope, or they think this, is to blend into the crowd any way they can. And money, sex, drugs, alcohol, gangster, whatever "seems" to be working for "the other person", so they leave the old ways behind and step into this type of life. Once in, they think they are trapped with no way out.

The younger generation of today are lost. The role models they have are .... well, getting arrested, commiting murder, committing fraud, committing lewd acts, committing sexual assault, you name it ... they are doing it. The generation now seems to be one of "what are YOU going to do for me today", or "you owe me", or "it's all about ME" --- I have no idea where they came up with these notions; some of them I know weren't raised that way. Taking care of their elderly family is the furtherest thing from their mind. Setting examples has gone by the way-side. It's a take, take, take generation. Sex sells and money talks ---- and it's all at the expense of "us" without any regard who it hurts. Until more than just a hand full stand up and say, "NO MORE", nothing will change. I'm for standing up and saying .... ENOUGH! I agree with what you are saying, 110%.
 

As a mixed blood, I feel all humanity...all races, creeds, nationalities..all Elders from all over the world..should follow your example. Our children have no respect for life, for our Mother Earth, or for each other, We need to take them back..we need to show them there is hope, there is a choice.
I admire and respect you..And have learned so much from you just by reading what you have to say. Keep telling the truth my friend and brother!
We don't always have to agree with everything someone thinks or feels or says..but a "TRUE" friend will respect our rights to think, feel, and say..and will, hopefully, learn in the process.
Go well and many, many blessings to you and your loved ones.
 

Very well said my Mentor. You always enlighten me farther along my journey in the truth. I have enjoyed our many emails~phone calls~ and conversations that have brought me along my path to truth and you have been an main mentor along the way.

The only thing I can say about the many that conform to the way it is ~ many do not want to stand out or fight the way it is ~ Many are happy to stay blind to truth. Truth sometimes Hurts and hurt is something people want to avoid.

It is then easier to go along with the many and pretend, so that life can seem somewhat happy. But you are so right when you say there is emptiness in all of the false religions out there, emptiness that can not be filled. Only true happiness can be found within oneness with the Great Spirit and the Traditions you speak of, a balance between all things ~ Creator, Man, Mother Earth, and Animals.

I have had to change my phone numbers because of reasons I can't go into here, but I will send you the new phone numbers in a seperate email later.

Take care my brother & mentor. Peace, Love & Prosperity. Good Journey

Frank WOLF Ball
 

Thanks,
This may not make sense to others, but when I brought my son to my ( native mom ) mom's house one day. He was reaching for something that was not to be touch and it was not a replacable item. She taught him really well, she lowered her voice and said NO! He was taken back but he learned. I laughed inside but that is what it took, that's all! Now he is older and you bet if there is something he sees like that he goes out of his way to avoid it. Just standing up and saying NO! UHM! My kids have asked me about the gangsta rap, and I have replied " It is not our culture and lets keep improving on well we know ours before we know and learn someone else's but I am sure if their grand parents were around now to have that opportunity they would have said NO too!