Act!! — Indigenous Call for Action
Indigenous Call for Action Answered by Youth/Environmental Groups
Black Mesa Project permitting process re-opened! Deadline for comments: July 7, 2008
Diné elder Pauline Whitesinger faces threats from government officials
Black Mesa, Arizona, home to the Diné (Navajo) and Hopi tribal reservations, is also home to massive mining operations run by Peabody Coal. In the past 30 years the mine at Black Mesa has contributed 325 million tons of carbon dioxide to atmospheric levels. Mining officials, with backing from the U.S. government, are responsible for capping local water supply (to supply mines) and harassing, threatening and in some cases assaulting Black Mesa residents, many who are elders resisting being driven from the land their ancestors have occupied for hundreds of years.
Peabody Coal now wants to expand the mining operation at a potential environmental cost of 290 million tons of CO2 and an unfathomable personal cost to all who continue to live and fight for their lives on Black Mesa. In related news, area residents continue to face threats and intimidation at the hands of the U.S. government, and it is no coincidence that the afflicted live on what Peabody Coal clearly sees as “their profit”.
Diné grandmother resistor Pauline Whitesinger (above), 76, was recently served a notice by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officers and Hopi Tribal Rangers to immediately halt repairs being made to her ceremonial earth lodge (hogan) on penalty of fines and criminal charges. Officials also attempted to harass Pauline’s on-land supporter/sheepherder. Threats of intimidation accompanied the “notice” and have continued unabated. Support has been requested for Pauline Whitesinger in the form of phone calls, letters and on-land support to let the BIA and Hopi officials know that their unacceptable actions are under scrutiny.
The overarching story here, that of Peabody Coal, lies at the core of environmental and human devastation. Peabody’s proposed expansion would detonate coal on a daily basis polluting the air and affect health of miners and residents, deplete residential water supplies (already scarce in the desert thanks to mining), accelerate climate change and, perhaps most significantly, sacrifice human dignity and planetary health for corporate profit.
The Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) has responded to the calls for action by mailing a statement denouncing the harassment of Pauline Whitesinger and also collecting signatures to add to a comment letter expressing opposition to the Peabody mine expansion. Similar actions have also been taken up by other national groups such as Black Mesa Indigenous Support, Student/Farmworker Alliance, and Black Mesa Water Coalition (heading up the call for action). Together, we can connect the dots of coal industry devastation from Appalachia to the mesas of Arizona, standing together in solidarity.
Coal is the liver of mother earth – let’s keep it in the ground and keep her healthy!
*Sample letter for coal comments and info and address for Pauline Whitesinger letter at blackmesais.org (also see attachments)
*To provide on-land support email blackmesais@riseup.net
See BMWC and BMIS websites for more ways to help!
prehistoric bones
The remains of at least 33 Natives were found less than a couple of miles away the other day. The bones date from humans who lived about 3000 BCE, and were found during construction of a multi-million dollar condo project.
Jacob and I went over to see the site last night. Obviously the place was guarded and we couldn’t do much but drive past it, but still. It was awfully surreal. Imagine what our current habitats looked like that long ago…that is, if you can even conceive time in this manner (which I think I cannot). This morning I lit some very special sage and sweetgrass in honor of the disturbance of more than 5,000 years.
Fast, days 1-2ish
So I’ve begun the SOA fast and I’m trying not to think too much about it. Probably I am thinking way too much about it. It’s going well though, much better (so far) than my water fast in Moklei last year. This time I prepared by eating only fruits n veggies and now am simply drinking juiced combos those foods. Am starting to get a slight headache but nothin major.
Had a little philosophical crisis today at work when I felt, more strongly than ever, the ridiculousness of a system where most folks work like dogs for a few minor folks to become rich. “That’s just the way it is” well, the same was once said of slavery, and the 7 day work week. Ah, well…
Time for a little relaxing fun maybe. So much of my time is usually spent on cooking, now what do I do?!
fast to close the SOA/WHINSEC
Close the SOA Fast!
A three day fast to bring attention to the atrocities of the School of the Americas begins tomorrow, April 25th. As Congress prepares to vote on the SOA/WHINSEC, local fasts nationwide will educate new members and put pressure on members who continually have not worked with our movement to close this school of shame. It’s not too late to join this solidarity action! Click on the image below (used to identify fasting participants) for more information, including fasters near you and instructions on beginning a juice fast.
The School of the Americas (SOA), in 2001 renamed the “Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation,” is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers, located at Fort Benning, Georgia. Initially established in Panama in 1946, it was kicked out of that country in 1984 under the terms of the Panama Canal Treaty. Former Panamanian President, Jorge Illueca, stated that the School of the Americas was the “biggest base for destabilization in Latin America.” The SOA, frequently dubbed the “School of Assassins,” has left a trail of blood and suffering in every country where its graduates have returned.
Over its 59 years, the SOA has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics. These graduates have consistently used their skills to wage a war against their own people. Among those targeted by SOA graduates are educators, union organizers, religious workers, student leaders, and others who work for the rights of the poor. Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been tortured, raped, assassinated, “disappeared,” massacred, and forced into refugee by those trained at the School of Assassins.
categories bother me
Oh…organizing has been started for the CIW mobilization in April and I’m getting that old, familiar “can I do this?” feeling. Not “can it be done?” (because I know without a doubt that it can be) but “can I do this?”. This is so different from putting together a benefit, or an action, because now there is a goal and severe logistical obstacles and oh…god. I feel pretty alone here, that’s the worst. If there was just one other person here to work with!
A couple weeks ago Jacob and I went to a hootenanny (like a fandango, only with bluegrass music) at the Unitarian church. We had our instruments, mandolin and guitar, and followed along all sorts of old classics. It made me miss mountain folk, who I may see more of in the near future cause I’ve been encouraged to apply for another job with KFTC! We shall see. It’s a constant struggle between wanting to be absolutely transitory and needing some stability if I’m to get anywhere in life. Of all my friends, Jason probably understands this best…years on the move, only to land the job you’ve always wanted, only to need to move around again and explore. (That damn situation!)
The plus is that a good job means getting to visit my lovely and beautiful Amy and Keri friends! On a plane — though — but whatever, life cannot really ever be controlled. Last night on the way to the theater (Sherlock Holmes! the final adventure!) Jacob and I were talkin about correct usage of the word “absurd”. As I suspected, the concept is not merely synonymous with “ridiculous” but instead refers to ridiculous inconguity, situations that should have happened, and didn’t, because of principle incompatability. What was the example I just read? The manifestation of the Judeo-Christian God, is argued as absurd, as he is presented as both transcendent of human categorization while simultaneously being presented as having the human capacities to love, teach, judge, and every other infinite trait. Jesus being presented as perfectly mortal yet completely immortal. That kind of thing. Not in keeping with logic, a tenuous argument at best.
Believing in yourself enough to create an idea and a plan, but self-sabotaging its implimenting. Wanting to work as effectively as possible for change but constantly depriving yourself of the resources to do so. Having the best, most loving, interesting and kick-ass folks to count around you as your friends but still sequestering yourself away to read and write in an attic — heh! until they pull you out that is, for karaoke, movies, and art nights.
Right. Right. I have an absurd notion of the past. And Vietnamese food in the fridge! My work for the day is clear….
irresponsiblity circa now
Last night I went out with zoo people. Some of you may remember that “just for the money” job I had last summer at the zoo — a potentially cool job — which was rendered completely miserable by the presence of conservative, homophobic social-climbers. The sexist remarks were overwhelming. Vegetarianism was like a mortal sin. I got shit on a daily basis for my partner at the time, who was Mexican and not an English speaker (one favorite quote “I think it’s illegal to speak Spanish if you’re not in Spain”– this second only to a host of lovely racial epithets). Them’s were the days! Anyway, in the midst of this I found a couple down-ass folks and it was them I went out with last night. Of course we did a lot of trash talkin’ which, I now realize, was our tried and true defensive mechanism on the job after months of dealing with that shit. It’s another me who thinks all that can be fun. And it was awesome to recall the day we all said fuck it and went out and played mandolin behind the dumpsters. But I also felt immature and unhealthy, especially getting back to my car and deciding I was too impaired to drive safely. Irresponsibility-circa-1999 type shit.
Good things have come of this, however. I feel motivated to get another job (isn’t that funny?). I finally feel like sticking around one place for a long time (that may be due in part to the KFTC meeting yesterday). I feel lucky to have someone in my life who loves me unconditionally – even the me who goes out and gets drunk with zoo people — and who can abide by my occassional minor transgressions i.e. 2 am phone calls asking for a ride. I think it’s awesome that progressive people can exist even in a place like the zoo. For all this I am grateful. But I think it’s time to retire “Jolene”.
Sitting here, and the futility of everything just hit me like a ton of bricks, and I wonder: how have I managed to keep hope alive when the only thing that seems to matter at all is how things feel from second to second? I am back in Louisville, and I have nothing to do except think about myself.
So here it is, folks, friends, everyone: I am 26. I have lived a million different lives. I have not excelled in anything except riding dressage (which I will never do again because it requires horses which require money) and writing (which I don’t think was true excellence; it’s just that I used to be able to imitate other good writers well). I have no ambition for school or business. I have nothing to contribute to “social justice” except passion and a little bit of pluck. I am too serious, and need to lighten up. I have not had a dance party in a really long time and it doesn’t matter cause I can’t let loose anymore anyway. I am the product of two people who are by now long-gone and apparently don’t remember that they ever had a child. My reason right now for existing is simply to live and not hurt others.
I have spent years hiding my true self from myself, my family. Thinking about what the person in front of me wants to see. Trying to be everything to everyone and I can’t do it anymore. People can think I am quiet, or awkward, or quirky (all of which is true) but whenever I start to feel ridiculous all I have to do is think of my amazing friends and the fact that the only reason I feel like an outsider is that they are all scattered around the globe. And I miss them.
So yes, all this is self-centered. And yeah, I feel bad for using the word “I” in practically every sentence. But I’m not quite sure what I am living for, see, and need to figure it out sometime soon. Do I have a future? Do I have a “career”? I don’t know, but I’m always okay and so far that’s the saving grace.
beauty in simplicity
The mind of the past is ungraspable;
the mind of the future is ungraspable;
the mind of the present is ungraspable.
–Diamond Sutra, pre-900 CE
Yeah. When my mind is hot working overtime this is like cool, wet sand.
family. family.
oh my god…my grandparents are at the airport and are on their way here. I just don’t think I can do this. Moved home two days ago and now weird family types are descending on the house like a swarm. Will be all alone for days. Actually, would love to be alone for days, and that’s precisely what won’t happen. Am no good at this kind of stuff. I’m better with other people’s families than my own, which is probably why Amy suggested I spend Thanksgiving with her parents (or at least sleep at their house down the street).
Thanksgiving…Day of Mourning…endlessly being asked to justify my life to family….
Keri just called from Hawaii. I love her. Oh, screw it. What kind of woman falls apart at a time like this? No one will be well-served by me disappearing halfway through the evening with a drink and a book. anarchist self-help 101: I will not go into hiding this year, I will be reckoned with!
