Congress to discuss use of Geronimo's name in Bin Laden mission

[steve2470]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/05/congress-to-discuss-use-of-geronimos-name-in-bin-laden-mission.html

<snip>

The Senate Indian Affairs committee, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), will host the hearing titled "Stolen Identities: The Impact of Racist Stereotypes on Indigenous People," which will be webcast live at 2:15 p.m. ET.

"The hearing was scheduled well before the Osama bin Laden operation became news, but the concerns over the linking of the name of Geronimo, one of the greatest Native American heroes, with the most hated enemies of the United States is an example of the kinds of issues we intended to address at Thursday's hearing," Loretta Tuell, the committee's chief counsel, said in a statement.

"These inappropriate uses of Native American icons and cultures are prevalent throughout our society, and the impacts to Native and non-Native children are devastating,” Tuell said. "We intend to open the forum to talk about them."

"To associate a native warrior with Bin Laden is not an accurate reflection of history, and it undermines the military service of native people," Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians, said Wednesday in a statement.

<snip>

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

I hope that DUers watch this with an open mind. No doubt too much to ask of some, but it could be worthwhile for those curious about this issue.

[KittyWampus]

7. Including yourself, I hope. I mean being open minded.

[William769]

2. K&R.

[Brickbat]

3. Excellent. K&R.

[bobbolink]

4. Thank you very much for posting this. I notice the date of the article... so this hearing was

yesterday?

Passing this on to friends who will be very interested.

Thank you! :yourock:

[steve2470]

6. May 4, 2011 7:12 pm is the date of the blog posting....

so I am *assuming* the author meant today May 5th at 2:15 PM.

on edit:

OVERSIGHT HEARING on "Stolen Identities: The Impact of Racist Stereotypes on Indigenous People"
Thursday, May 5 2011
2:15PM
Dirksen-628

http://indian.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?hearingID=5172

[KittyWampus]

5. They didn't associate Geronimo w/bin Laden.

[tekisui]

11. Right. Just the bin Laden operation. Distinction without difference.

Are you saying the Apache and other Native Americans are too stupid to understand or too sensitive?

[bobbolink]

8. Another good link, with words from a Nez Perce student

http://www.lmtribune.com/blogs/2011/05/03/cultured/spencer-to-testify-to-congress-against-use-of-racist-stereotypes/

Spencer to testify to Congress against use of racist stereotypes
Posted on 03 May 2011 by jbauer



Actor Chaske Spencer is to testify May 5, 2011 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs at an oversight hearing on “Stolen Identities: The Impact of Racist Stereotypes on Indigenous People.”

One of the themes of the hearing is doing away with American Indian mascots which many believe reinforce harmful and stifling stereotypes about indigenous people.

Spencer has been asked to join the hearing to represent the emerging indigenous actors and directors who are working to define the ways their culture is portrayed, according to a press release about the event.

“I am honored to have been given the incredible opportunity to contribute in whatever way possible to the positive shift in the portrayal of native people in the media,” Spencer says in the release.

(snip)

[PufPuf23]

9. kr

[asjr]

10. I have never linked the name of

Geronimo with Bin Laden. I have assumed it was used as a word of respect for courage. It took courage for the Seals to go into the lion's den. I am sorry native Americans have interpreted it as a bad reflection on their ancestors. In WW2 American Indians had a major role using their native tongue in contacting the allied troops. The nation was grateful. I thought we had come farther into the 21st century.

[tekisui]

12. knr. Of all the names possible.

[steve2470]

13. kick for those who want to watch this nt