This was made as a response to a provocative post on the shamanism tribe, and thought it merits sharing with a general audience. Both AIM, Incorporated folks and Autonomous AIM folks are encouraged to reply.


i see what you're saying about the new colonialism thing. Where i dissent is your sweeping generalization of all people called 'white'.

While it's true that MOST 'white' folks are deeply programmed products of their socialization (with large amounts of internalized values to boot), not all of us european descendants of tribes are. And to perpetuate such an emotion in such a broad-brushing wreaks of a curious form of incitement, or bashing.

But i did say there's truth, so lemme focus there. In a portion of the heart of it, as i see it.

Again, the internalized value thing. Most people take for granted the frames of reference they use to look upon their world. They see no political intrigues to reproducing the society in which they feel powerless to truly change. So they play. It's healing. And then they can go back to their wage slavery on Monday. Not seeing beyond that paradigm.

Now, some of the ndn folx have been challenging this confined thought. And that certainly has its merits. Yet there is also merit in european descendants of tribes in intuitively finding value in the frames of references of other cultures. Now all we have to do is make the connection. But of course, many european descendants of tribes have been so deeply coerced early on in their lives that they cannot, for the life of them, do anything until they have permission from some authority.

Then they will follow.

So folx like you are whipping at them with this guilt thing. That's the way i'm feeling it. As tho it's BAD to intuitively take up a holding-on-line that one's "own" culture simply does not have in any meaningful way.

Well, i say what if you all explored ways to challenge while at the same time moving towards their actual desires?! I.e. their desires to utilize power in deeply meaningful ways. Remember, the constant narrative planted in our heads tells us that this pursuit is meaningless. Yet we persist. That means something.

And for groups who are barely surviving, y'all need all the allies ya can get.

Except of course, allies who are truly in touch with these currents. So how to bridge between? And when?

Note: i ain't saying you SHOULD ALWAYS try to listen to we who are survivors of psychological genocide. i'm saying that you should not jump to knee-jerk-style conclusions. Because you might easily find yourself even more trapped. In the margins.

But of course, the thought police are spending a lot of money to keep us all at odds with each other.....