Current Affairs: July 2008 Archives

Gbemisola Olujobi writing in truthdig points to racist stereotypes about Africans as oversexed and promiscuous are hampering the efforts of international health organizations to effectively battle the AIDS epidemic.  So we get quotes like this from a participant in the 10th International AIDS Conference:

"AIDS would be brought under control only if Africans restrain their sexual cravings."--Dr. Yuichi Shiokawa;

or this, "Sex, love and disease do not mean the same thing to Africans as they do to West Europeans [because] the notion of guilt doesn't exist in the same way as it does in the Judeo-Christian culture of the West."--Professor Nathan Clumeck of the Universite Libre in Brussels, quoted in Le Monde section of The Manchester Guardian Weekly, Dec. 14, 1993.

Olujobi argues that this stereotype prevents the world community from focusing on the true cause of AIDS "such as poverty and the conditions that poverty creates--malnutrition, low immunity, stress, poor sanitation, overcrowding, poor access to health care, substandard health care, rural deprivation and urban squalor--all of which will facilitate the spread of AIDS or, indeed, any other disease."

I once witnessed a place where there were a bunch of people fishing.  What was special about this pond was that the pond was full of fish, because fish were put in that pond, so that the fishers could fish them.  The only rule was that the fishers had to throw the fish back after they caught them.

Isn't having impeachment hearings given the  wealth of evidence that Bush administration has committed high crimes and misdemeanors and having instructions not to take a vote on impeachment sort of like fishing in a stocked pond, and then having to throw the fish back.

I recently committed People So Bold! to publicizing the work of a group of lawyers.  Several years ago, the Unitarian Universalist Association had an Independent Affiliate called Unitarian Universalist Network for Indigenous Affairs, which helped educate Unitarian Universalists about the problems and promise of Native American Indians and let UUs know about specific things they could do help.  In 2007 a new effort calling itself Unitarian Universalist Network for Indigenous Affairs has been established which presents educational website on world wide indigenous cultures.  It does not appear to be an advocacy organization for Native American Indian rights.  What should Unitarian Universalist who want to provide support for Native peoples do?  There are several organizations which I believe that we can and should support and our support could make a real difference.  First, let me introduce the lawyers.  

The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is an non profit law firm that is committed the rights of Native people, its team of attorneys take cases and engage in publicizing other ongoing legal cases that are defending Native American tribes and organizations with

Founded in 1970, the Native American Rights Fund  is the oldest and largest nonprofit law firm dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide. The firm focuses its legal work on helping to realize these five mission areas.

Preservation of tribal existence

The future existence of the remaining Indian tribes in this country depends ultimately upon secure and permanent land bases, and the rights of self- determination necessary to preserve traditional customs and ways of life. Learn more.


Protection of tribal natural resources 

The natural resources found on Indian lands vary greatly. NARF concentrates its efforts in asserting tribal resource rights and protecting them from loss and exploitation by non-Indians. Major resource protection includes land rights; water rights; hunting, fishing and gathering rights; environmental protection; timber rights; and prudent development of mineral resources.


Promotion of Native American human rights 

The Native American Rights Fund is concerned with securing basic human rights for Native Americans in such areas as education, health, housing and religious freedom rights.



Accountability of governments to Native Americans

NARF focuses much of its efforts on guaranteeing that the federal and state governments are accountable for the proper recognition and enforcement of the many laws and regulations which govern the lives of Indian people.

Development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues 

This involves not only the establishment of favorable court precedents in major areas of Indian law, but also the compilation and distribution of Indian law resources to everyone working on behalf of Indian rights. 

In the future I will be talking about the activities of Native American Rights Fund.

 Native American Indians have a lot of experience with American Presidents. After all, it has been and continues to be a matter of life and death to keep an eye on those who have invaded this land and run it without regard to the people whose were here, who know the land and love it as a sacred gift.

Therefore it is significant that Indian Country has for the first time become excited about a candidate.

Read Wind Dancer (Charo)

My friends,

Many Indian tribes are throwing their support behind Obama for president.

He has a great website, "The First Americans".

I think he will actually stand up and help the Indians on the reservations. He has voiced concerns with the Indian Health care problems, unemployment problems, and the housing problems on the rez. The toxic trailers are now being occupied on several reservations and people are becoming ill. They have no choice, but to live in those trailers.

I usually try to stay neutral, but, I feel we need a honest person who will honor existing treaties with the tribes, and bring humanity back.

What ever is your political choice, please check out Obama's, "First Americans" web site. We see hope in him as a way of bringing humanity back to the First Americans ( Indians).

Walk In Peace and Protect Mother Earth.

Wind Dancer