First, I look forward to “We of Little Faith: How Nonbelievers Can Live Full Lives.” Sounds to me like a book that I could really use right now!
Second, this morning I read your Washington Post essay on “‘Indian’ mascots” and added to the hundreds already there a comment of my own. I can’t imagine keeping up with all the comments on an essay in the Post, but in case you missed mine, here is what I wrote:.
“I highly recommend to all a book I recently learned about and then read that is entitled “Elements of Indigenous Style,” by Gregory Youngking [Opaskwayak Cree Nation]. Although written in the context of indigenous (first) peoples living in what is now known as Canada, it is an exceptionally thoughtful treatment of how to write with respect and accuracy.”
I also sent to the Post a somewhat related letter, and in case the information in it may be of value, I’m passing the text along to you as well:
“We are long past the time where we need to refer to the Indigenous Peoples of what is now known as the Americas in more accurate and respectful words reflecting the complete history of human habitation of these continents. I highly recommend “Elements of Indigenous Style” by Gregory Younging as a start.
“American” Native needs to go. “America” as a name for these continents is a conceited appellation growing out of odious notions such as the doctrine of discovery and follows practices of colonizing countries to “name,” as an assertion of dominance those who the colonizers are attempting to subdue. How incredible that the name of an obscure Italian explorer be applied to two vast continents that had complex cultures and which were advanced in many ways long before Columbus stumbled upon then. “Indian” is also a term we need to move away from in order to give the descendants of the indigenous peoples the respect and position they deserve in today’s world, “Indian” is clearly a derogatory word, although I recognize why these descendants have had to “go along” with that label while maintaining the dignity of their own nations true names. “Indian” was applied early on in, as noted above, an effort to diminish any standing that might threaten the interests of the European colonizers. That the indigenous peoples have lived under the indignity of Columbus’s mistake, a mistake quickly recognized but one that proved useful for efforts at subjugation, is simply intolerable.
We must move on to remove these terribly damaging words that continue to poison movements toward equity and respect among the beautifully diverse peoples living in “Turtle Island.” ”
I did sign up for updates from you and I look forward to the availability of your latest book.
Best,
Robert Cluck
Reston, VA
AUTHOR: Robert Cluck
AUTHOR EMAIL: RobertCVA@aol.com
AUTHOR URL:
SUBJECT: [Kate Cohen] Contact
IP: 100.36.48.227
Array
(
[1_Name] => Robert Cluck
[2_Email] => RobertCVA@aol.com
[3_Website] =>
[4_Comment] => First, I look forward to “We of Little Faith: How Nonbelievers Can Live Full Lives.” Sounds to me like a book that I could really use right now!
Second, this morning I read your Washington Post essay on “‘Indian’ mascots” and added to the hundreds already there a comment of my own. I can’t imagine keeping up with all the comments on an essay in the Post, but in case you missed mine, here is what I wrote:.
“I highly recommend to all a book I recently learned about and then read that is entitled “Elements of Indigenous Style,” by Gregory Youngking [Opaskwayak Cree Nation]. Although written in the context of indigenous (first) peoples living in what is now known as Canada, it is an exceptionally thoughtful treatment of how to write with respect and accuracy.”
I also sent to the Post a somewhat related letter, and in case the information in it may be of value, I’m passing the text along to you as well:
“We are long past the time where we need to refer to the Indigenous Peoples of what is now known as the Americas in more accurate and respectful words reflecting the complete history of human habitation of these continents. I highly recommend “Elements of Indigenous Style” by Gregory Younging as a start.
“American” Native needs to go. “America” as a name for these continents is a conceited appellation growing out of odious notions such as the doctrine of discovery and follows practices of colonizing countries to “name,” as an assertion of dominance those who the colonizers are attempting to subdue. How incredible that the name of an obscure Italian explorer be applied to two vast continents that had complex cultures and which were advanced in many ways long before Columbus stumbled upon then. “Indian” is also a term we need to move away from in order to give the descendants of the indigenous peoples the respect and position they deserve in today’s world, “Indian” is clearly a derogatory word, although I recognize why these descendants have had to “go along” with that label while maintaining the dignity of their own nations true names. “Indian” was applied early on in, as noted above, an effort to diminish any standing that might threaten the interests of the European colonizers. That the indigenous peoples have lived under the indignity of Columbus’s mistake, a mistake quickly recognized but one that proved useful for efforts at subjugation, is simply intolerable.
We must move on to remove these terribly damaging words that continue to poison movements toward equity and respect among the beautifully diverse peoples living in “Turtle Island.” ”
I did sign up for updates from you and I look forward to the availability of your latest book.
Best,
Robert Cluck
Reston, VA
[email_marketing_consent] =>
[entry_title] => Contact
[entry_permalink] => https://katecohen.net/contact/
[feedback_id] => 1250644b170a688acd2be4a0ac8bb545
)