The right’s cherished police state didn’t have much to do at yesterday’s March Toward Justice in Rapid City other than hear the prayers of the peacefully assembled protestors and consider shooting fewer Indians:
Marching from East Boulevard to the Rapid City Public Safety Building, activists and protesters gathered to demand reform in law enforcement agencies as well as address how schools are policed after what some said was a brutal year for the Native American community.
“We would like to stop the killing of indigenous people by police. We would like to stop the overcriminalization of protests. We would like to see security resource officers out of the schools. We would like to see more support for native children in the schools, more solutions just beyond criminalizing them,” said Tom Swiftbird, a protester at the march.
“We’ve watched over the last year especially. I mean, I think this is the worst that it’s ever been. We’ve seen a lot of native men killed by the police department,” said Native Sun News editor Ernestine Anukasan.
For Trinity Peoples, those deaths in the last year have affected her personally, as her brother, Barney Leroy Peoples Jr., was shot six times last year. Peoples said there could be a better way to handle situations like the ones that took her brother.
“There could’ve been lesser non-life-threatening tactics used instead of just outright shooting them,” explained Trinity Peoples, a protester at the march.
…While the initial thought of the protest was that it would turn violent, the people that participated remained peaceful throughout, and as the march concluded, the protestors unraveled a large banner that laid out the changes they wanted to see to the system [Cody Dennis and Humberto Giles-Sanchez, “Native Americans ‘March for Justice’ in Rapid City,” KOTA-TV, 2023.07.04].
Cody and Humberto evidently need an editor. That last unreadably obtuse sentence—”While the initial thought of the protest was that it would turn violent”—should more informatively read, “While white leaders initially whipped up fears that the protest would turn violent….”
NDN Collective provides video of the peaceful protest calling for “Community over Cops” and accountability for the police state here:
Properly Fund the Police! – “When you’re trained to be but a hammer; all you can see are nails!”
The buildup by authorities could have led to violence. They need to learn a little self-control in the statements they make.
P. Aitch–you could add the Japanese saying “The nail that sticks up, must be hammered down.”
Some police in certain cities are being taught ways to get around citizen’s 4th amendment rights during quasi-illegal traffic stops. Must be tired of losing qualified immunity and getting sued.
Right, Mr. Onions. – “The nail that sticks up must be hammered down” is a proverb that promotes unthinking conformity and discourages individuality or standing out.
That proverb describes the lack of culture among the SD white conservative majority and their head down, follow the leader, German mindset.
Their fear of NDN culture is palpable, tangible, and laughable .
*It’s important to note that NDN culture thrives on promoting diversity, embracing uniqueness, and encouraging open-mindedness which leads to innovation and growth in almost all aspects of life.
e My money is on NDN for in the end game, they are “right on” in their efforts to seek and achieve justice for their Indigenous People and get their land back; they faithfully signed the treaties to end their winning war against the European civilization in 1868; trusting the cosigner to the treaty, (United States of America) to also uphold their signature to said treaty; only to see this USA diminish their treaty lands down to small acreages of often barren land unwanted by homesteaders etc. Memories are long when treated as they have been; even while face with a barrage of white, conservative people asying “Well hell, the dang Indians get everything given to ’em all the time”!!
Justice will be done. The white cultures’s God often has stated this. Right?
Right, Jake. Your statements are the same ones I use lobbying for Black reparations.
Affirmative Action was a merely a superficial bandaid that needed to be pulled off so reparations can emerge as the one true way that USA can begin to attain a modicum of dignity.
meawhile, back in civilized iowa there was this nasty reminder of white supremacy at the expense oif Native America….
https://www.kcci.com/article/muscatine-iowa-native-american-costume-causes-controversy-at-fourth-of-july-parade/44452730
Dog Whistle White Privilege Abounds in South Dakota
– The belief that an action or statement is not racist if the person did not intend it to be racist can stem from a few factors:
1. Lack of awareness: Some individuals may not have a deep understanding of racism and its various forms. They may not be aware of the implicit biases or systemic issues that can contribute to racism. Consequently, they may genuinely believe that their actions cannot be deemed racist if they did not intend to cause harm or discrimination.
2. Individual perspective: People often perceive their own actions and intentions differently from how others might interpret them. They may prioritize their own self-perception over the impact that their words or actions have on others. This can lead them to believe that if they did not intend to be racist, their actions cannot be seen as such.
3. Fear of social consequences: In some cases, individuals may be unwilling to accept responsibility for a potentially racist action or statement due to the fear of being socially ostracized or labeled as racist. Denying the racist intent can be a defense mechanism to avoid accountability or negative repercussions.
However, it is important to note that the belief that intent is the sole determinant of racism overlooks the broader impact and consequences on those who may be negatively affected. Racism is not limited to overt, intentional acts, but can also manifest through subtle biases, stereotypes, or unintentional actions that reinforce systemic discrimination.
To address this belief, it is crucial to promote education and awareness about racism, encouraging individuals to consider the broader implications of their actions and statements. Recognizing that intent alone does not absolve one from engaging in racist behavior can help foster greater empathy, understanding, and progress towards combating racism in all its forms.