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Last Revised: April, 1993

GRANDMA NUDGE

MORE ON CULTURAL GENOCIDE

by MARY MOORE

Any idealistic dreams that things would slow down on the activist front with a new "progressive" administration in charge, sure haven't materialized in my life! Space prohibits going into any one thing in depth but here are some samplings of what keeps me from living the slow country life that some of my city friends still think exists here.

The "spiritual genocide" issue just won't go away-a sure sign of a dialogue long overdue- and one that has obviously pushed some buttons here in Sonoma county. What bothers me the most about white folks that just don't "get it" is this attitude that just because they "need" it (white people ain't got no roots or spiritual foundation) it's O.K. to take it regardless of what the native keepers of the culture say, feel or do!! In March several people of all ethnicities protested a visit by Brooke Medicine Eagle to Santa Rosa (see statement by Center for the Spirit with her background on this page.) It was encouraging that several women were open to our information and stayed outside to talk with real Native Americans however other women were so closed and defensive that they wouldn't even pause in their zeal to get inside with their drums, feathers and "power sticks". One woman in particular became enraged at our presence and yelled "Fuck You!" on her way to spiritual enli! ghtenment. The irony to me was t hat all these white women who no doubt think of themselves as "progressive" paid $20 apiece to hear a fake medicine woman when they could have talked to real native people for free on the outside! Go figure!

It is so puzzling to me--this concept of white folks and their search for spiritual teachings when the very life we lead is our best teacher. It's sort of like a fish looking for a bath or a drink of water. I don't like jokes based on stereotypes but since "New Ageism" is a chosen role I'll risk telling one because it makes the point better than anything else I've heard.

A"New Ager"died and went to heaven where s/he found two signs pointing in opposite directions. One pointed to Heaven and one pointed to Workshop on Heaven. The "New Ager" went to the workshop!!

In other words, get involved with the day to day struggles of people and you will find the spirituality there. If you truly admire and respect Native American culture then be a white ally and show your respect by listening to their feelings and needs---not yours!! A good and positive example of this is Deborah Gusti who for years has organized the annual Health and Harmony Faire in Santa Rosa. After reading the past three issues of the S.C. Free Press along with other materials on the subject she has decided to reverse the direction of the Faire concerning this issue of spiritual genocide. She met recently with representatives of the International Indian Treaty Council as well as John Trippo from the local community to discuss ways this could be done. Deborah has made a commitment to include and outreach real Native American music, blessings and crafts and to eliminate the fake ones. This is called respect and she is appreciated for her openness on this subject.

Another issue that has taken over my life and won't go away is SHELTER-- the affordable and increasingly hard to find kind in Sonoma County. At the same time that the "progressive" Sebastopol City Council was turning down an exceptional (no public funds, 70 revisions after community input, and a large affordable housing component) housing development, I was having my own prolonged battle with rigid government in the form of county threats of tearing down small structures on my 1/3 acre in Camp Meeker. (see statement on pg ). This five year battle with the Sonoma County Building Dept. is coming to a head since they turned me over to the county legal department. People keep asking me what kind of help I need and other than bodies to help protect my office when the bulldozers come rolling down the narrow roads of Camp Meeker (a ludicrous vision if only it were a joke) I guess what I need most are statements from those of you who have had similar experiences. The statements don't need to be signed (I realize how afraid people are of these guys which is why no one wants to speak out) but if you don't mind putting your name on them that's even better. Also letters to the editor about the whole issue of government working WITH owners of old precode housing instead of AGAINST them would be helpful. The scariest thing I have learned in this five year battle is that any of you are at risk (owners or tenants) because all it takes is one anonymous call-they don't even have to know who it is-for them to come in to your home and tear it apart. I lost a tenant and he lost good low cost housing five years ago when all this started. Even with thousands of dollars there is no way to bring some of these old cabins up to code and a willingness to concentrate of health and safety issues is not enough for the county bureaucrats--the Uniform Building Code is like their bible!! You can send letters or statements in care of this paper. And stay tuned 'cause I may need those bodies at some point!!

And finally the fuss at KPFA has taken up time for several people in our community who see this station as an irreplaceable friend in organizing. (See article on pg. ). I hope that those of you who appreciate and support this unique station will get involved in keeping it from going corporate. Two N.P.R.'s we don't need!!