As of yet, I have not written about the situation concerning Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline. More than anything my hesistence or lack of material regarding Standing Rock has been born out of the fact that I'm not sure what I could say.
This confusion isn't because I'm not sure what I think. I clearly and strongly agree with the Standing Rock protectors and protestors. I hope that the pipeline is not built. Rather my confusion comes from me not being sure what else I could say that others haven't said. I look at the sceptics and wonder what magic collection of words do they need to undestand. What's missing in the message?
For as long as I remember my classmates and I would receive some piece of early US history during the school year. During this time we would usually be lectured on the actions the US took against Native American societies at various points in time. From massacres to forced removal, they told us what our nation had done, as Americans and as Midwesterners.
For as long as I can remember, at the end of each of those days, my classmates would be prompted to discuss the nature of responsibility in regards to those misdeeds. Almost every single time their response could be summerized as such, "If I could go back and change things I would, but that was the past and I'm in the present."
You can imagine my disappointment when I later observed those same students and alumni view Standing Rock as an unimportant event, not worth their attention nor their sympathies.
The abuse of Native American socities by the United States of America did not end in the 1700's. It did not end in the 1800's. It did not end in the 30's, the 40's, or the 90's. It is alive and well. To my fellow Wisconsinites and Minnesotans I say this, our neighbours in the Dakotas are attempting to do a terrible thing. Though I doubt they mean to do it for the sake of malice, it doesn't change that they are going to do it.
Pay attention to Standing Rock. I'm not asking you to join the front lines of the fight, I'm asking you to be aware, I'm asking you to show support on social media and in the public square. I'm asking you to donate when possible and to take note of which politicians take which side.
For years and years we have protected ourselves from the accusations of abuse, theft, segregation, and genocide by proclaiming that we are not responsible for the actions of our ancestors. Do not doom your decendents to the same fate.
