Behaving Equitably
Learning from History: Nov 4th, 2021 by Somaly Prak-Martins
A Little Bit of History
Historians have found evidence that thousands of years before Columbus landed in the Bahamas, the nomadic ancestors of Native Americans hiked over the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to (now) Alaska. "In fact, by the time European adventurers arrived in the 15th century A.D., scholars estimate that more than 50 million people were already living in the Americas. Of these, some 10 million lived in the area that would become the United States (History.com)." There is genetic evidence supporting the theory of these ancestors living on the Bering Land Bridge for 15,000 years. These nomadic ancestors and their descendants - through time - migrated east and south. Anthropologist and Geographers have divided these diverse groups into "culture areas". Culture areas are rough groupings of contiguous people who share similar habitats and characteristics. "Most scholars break North America—excluding present-day Mexico—into 10 separate culture areas: the Arctic, the Subarctic, the Northeast, the Southeast, the Plains, the Southwest, the Great Basin, California, the Northwest Coast and the Plateau (History.com). "
One particular tribe that stands out in history (to me) is the Cherokee nation. This nation lived in a vast region covering the northwest of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama. In 1786, the first Native American reservation was established by the United States. The Cherokee nation is one of many who were forcefully removed and resettled into government "reservations". In 1819 a treaty between the Cherokee nation and the United States was reached. It guaranteed that Cherokee land would be off-limits to white settlers forever. This treaty lasted for only 20 years and the United States forcibly removed over 15,000 Cherokees between 1838 and 1839. The Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830 gave the government authority to forcibly remove and relocate tribes to unsettled land west of the Mississippi River.
History.com reported that "As many as 4,000 died of disease, starvation and exposure during their detention and forced migration through nine states that became known as the “Trail of Tears.” Reverend Daniel Butrick , a missionary who ministered in the Cherokee territories for close to two decades, wrote “from their first arrest they were obliged to live very much like brute animals, and during their travels, were obliged at night to lie down on the naked ground, in the open air, exposed to wind and rain, and herd together, men women and children, like droves of hogs, and in this way, many are hastening to a premature grave.”
There is so much history that was missed during my K-12 education. "Pilgrims tried to save the Indians from their savage ways", is a statement I heard very often during my K-12 educational career. I was taught that Thanksgiving was when the "Indians" and Pilgrims shared the bounty of their harvest. There was no mention of forcibly removing Native Americans from their homes, forced assimilation, indoctrination of religion, and/or the infliction of violence on Native Americans by "white settlers".
Here are some resources that may help you better understand the impact of forced assimilation and indoctrination:
- Cultural Genocide and Native American Children
- Native American Children's Historic Forced Assimilation
- A Century of Trauma: National Geographic
- How Boarding Schools Tried to 'Kill the Indian' Through Assimilation: History
Click on the link below to learn more about the Native American lived experiences that have been historically documented.
The Proclamation: Native American Heritage
On October 29th, 2021, the White House released a Proclamation. The document states, "During National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the countless contributions of Native peoples past and present, honor the influence they have had on the advancement of our Nation, and recommit ourselves to upholding trust and treaty responsibilities, strengthening Tribal sovereignty, and advancing Tribal self-determination."
The contributions made by Native Americans has undeniable implications to the birth and survival of the United States. Without their knowledge, food source, and help, many historians believe that the European Colonization would have all died out during the first winter.
Here are some other contributions made by Native Americans:
- 10 Native American Inventions Commonly Used Today
- 7 Native American Inventions that revolutionized Medicine in Public Health
- Native American Contributions
- American Indian & Alaska Native Contributions to Public Health
Here are some other resources that maybe of interest:
Have we (humans) learned from our past? If not, WHY?
I often wonder why these historical atrocities continually repeat themselves. The more I learn about the horrific details of the start of our nation, the more I find similarities in other tragedies. During the Cambodian Genocide, millions of Cambodians were stripped of any association of western culture and forced into work, live, and die in labor camps. The living conditions were deplorable and inhumane. During the Holocaust, people were stripped of their wealth, homes, and land and put into camps, living in inhumane conditions to await their execution. In particular, the Nazis targeted all Jewish people for extermination. During the Hmong Genocide, Hmong soldiers and families who sided with the CIA during the Vietnam War were hunted down and eradicated. The Transatlantic Slave Trades dehumanized millions of enslaved Africans by tying them up like cattle, shipping them into generations of servitude, and robbing them of kinship. It seems to occur over and over again. Syrians, Tainos, Haitians, and many more are experiencing and/or have experienced the impact of cultural and/or genetic genocide, forced relocation, removal/confiscation of name, wealth, and belongings, and many more atrocities. The trend usually comes down to one group supremely believing their authority, status, and/or position makes their needs and wants more dignified and justified than others. They use their authority, position and/or status to indoctrinate others to blindly follow and "fall in line".
The internet has allowed many of us to obtain more information, read from different perspectives and better assess the impacts of historical events. Many of us are realizing that our exposure to history has been limited to those who have control over the K-12 education curriculum. There is much debate about whether we should teach history in full. Many argue that this 'new way' of teaching history is a form of indoctrination. According to dictionary.com, indoctrination is the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically. If this is the widely accepted meaning of this term, I would argue in the last 500 years, that this nation's approach to teaching, sharing and documenting history is indoctrination. Those who have authority, position, and status to influence what is elevated and/or hidden, have and continue to determine the mainstream curriculum.
The dictionary definition of supremacy is the state or condition of being superior to others in authority, power, or status. Supremacy is not just a "white" behavior. This is a behavior that can be exhibited based on a person, group, or entity's belief of superiority. It is not tied to one group, one race, one position, one political party and/or one person. It is a behavior that can be demonstrated by anyone, any group, and any organization who feels they and/or their way of being are "superior" to all others because of their authority, power, and/or status. Trying to dismantle "white" supremacy by replacing your name, group, political affiliation, and race in front of the word supremacy will not yield change and/or equality. All it does is replace the person, group, affiliation, and race in the position to oppress and harm others. It simply reinforces and perpetuates the state and conditions of supremacy.
Here are some examples of different ways supremacy can be exhibited:
- Adultism is a form of supremacy where adults feel that their experience, thoughts, and feelings are superior, compared to the kids and/or young adults. Hence, the young voices, feelings, and experiences are dismissed and not heard.
- Positional supremacy is when a person feels that their tactics, ideas, processes, and/or ways of being is superior than others because of their position and/or status. They then use their position and/or status to oppress others and/or are dismissive of other lived experiences, beliefs and expertise.
- Identity supremacy is when a person thinks their identity makes them superior than others. They use their identity to oppress and/or are dismissive to other lived experiences, beliefs and expertise.
- Political party supremacy is when a person feels that the ideologies of one political party is superior than others. They then use their political identity to oppress and/or are dismissive to other political ideologies.
Historically, the combination of supremacy and indoctrination has proven to be destructive to human kind and it leaves centuries of trauma to those that are on the receiving end.
Some questions to ponder:
- If indoctrination is wrong, why haven't we challenged this practice in the past?
- Is indoctrination okay when the point of view that is being taught aligns with yours?
- Is supremacy okay as long as you are the one in the position, have the authority, and/or status to inflict it on others?
- Are these behaviors harmful and toxic and does your answer change if these behaviors yield personal, professional, and/or political gains for you?
- If and when you witness your colleague, family, and/or friend enacting superiority and using their authority, position and/or status to indoctrinate others, how do you respond?
How do people accross India and other parts of the world celebrate during this time of the year?
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
A festival observed by many in India and around the World. A holiday where groups of people remind themselves of the past, share the lessons learned, and ask for a lucrative and blessed future.
Diwali, Deepavali, or Deepawaii is a five day festival in many parts of India. In 2021, this festival falls on November 4th. This festival is observed by people of many faiths including Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims and some Buddhists. This festival can be dated back more than 2,500 years ago. It is also known as the festival of lights. Many scholars like Pankaj Jain believe that the festival is linked to multiple stories in religious texts. Many of these stories elevate the triumph of good versus evil. "Professor Jain says that while Diwali is a religious holiday, it’s also somewhat of a national holiday in India. Comparing it to Christmas in the United States, he points out that many non-Christians in America still buy a Christmas tree and give each other gifts (History.com)."
Here are some resources that may bring more insight into this amazing and beautiful celebration that - to many - symbolizes triumph.
According to National Geographics the Diwali five day celebration emcompasses ...
Hanukkah: A Jewish Holiday Also Known as the Festival of Lights
Hanukkah begins on the evening of November 28th, 2021 and ends in the evening of December 6th, 2021. It is an eight-day winter "festival of lights". It commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. This holiday is often called the Festival of Lights and consists of lighting the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
According to History.com, "The Hanukkah celebration revolves around the kindling of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Jews typically recite blessings during this ritual and display the menorah prominently in a window as a reminder to others of the miracle that inspired the holiday." The food is usually fried in oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jam filled donuts) are popular in many Jewish households.
Family Celebrates Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a holiday celebrated by Jewish families all over the world during November and December.
Photo by: Stephanie Lehr/CORBIS
Latkes: Potato Pancakes
A Hanukkah staple in many Jewish households.
Photo by: Owen Franken/CORBIS
Dreidels
A four-sided top used for playing games. For many, Dreidel is a symbol of Hanukkah.
Photo by: Tom Grill/CORBIS
Some More Cultural Days Observed in November...
For many, this month brings about reunions, giving, and thanks.
November 1st: Karnataka Rajyotsava Day
November 2nd: Day of the Dead
November 3rd: Japanese Culture Day
November 5th: Bonfire Night
November 7th: Day Light Savings
November 11th: French Armistice Day
November 20th: World Children's Day
November 21st: World Hello Day
November 22nd: National Sovereignty Day Argentina
November 24th: National Tie One On Day
November 25th: Thanksgiving
November 26th: Native American Heritage Day
November 30th: St. Andrew's Day
Some More Religious Days Observed Around the World...
November 1st: All Saints' Day
November 2nd: All Souls Day
November 4th: Diwali
November 12th: National Donor Sabbath
November 14th: Naraka Chaturdashi
November 15th: Govardhan Puja
November 16th: Bhai Dooj
November 21st: National Bible Week
November 28th: Hanukkah
November 30th: Guru Nanak Jayant
Events in Milton
Take A Peak Into Some of Milton Families.
The Project
Deborah Milbauer announces the opening of her in-person photography exhibit, “The Milton Family Portrait Project” which will be featured at the Milton Public Library for the months of October and November, 2021 in the Wotiz Gallery. The Project features 20 Milton Families and their stories. Each family lives in Milton and their photograph is accompanied by a brief description of their personal histories and experiences. The families represent multiple countries of origin, tens of spoken languages, blended families, multi-racial/multi-cultural families, families with adopted children, LGBTQ families and more. The exhibit can be seen beginning Oct 1 through November 30, 2021 during Library hours: Mon-Wed 9am-9pm, Thursday 1pm-9pm, Fri 9am-5:30, Saturday 9-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm.
Upcoming events at the Milton Public Library associated with this exhibit
Panel Discussion: The Milton Family Portrait Project’ Sat. Nov 13th 2pm to 4pm, Lower Level, Keyes Community Room, Milton Public Library. Meet the faces behind Deborah Milbauer's photography exhibit now showing in-person at the Wotiz gallery for the months of October and November, 2021. The panel will explore the experience of families living in Milton, and the larger concepts of community and identity in a demographically changing society. Panel participants will include the Milton neighbors who appear in the exhibit representing the town's multi-cultural, multi-racial, blended, LGBTQ and international families. The voices of community activists and academic experts will also serve on the panel. Light refreshments will be served. This exhibit is supported with contributions from Celebrate Milton, The Friends of the Milton Public Library, and application pending with the Milton Cultural Council.
About the Artist
Deborah Milbauer is a resident of Milton and wears many hats in town including Town Meeting Member from Precinct 4, volunteer with the Pine Tree Brook Neighborhood Association, Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice and Partnership for a Healthy Milton, and has been a Public Health Consultant to the Milton Health Department and the Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. She is a Senior Lecturer at Northeastern University in the department of Health Sciences. Deborah holds dual-masters in Public Health and Social Work from Boston University. She has worked in the field of public health for 30+ years related to HIV/AIDS, substance use disorder and prevention, homelessness, opioid overdose and harm reduction. She is married to Corey Dolgon, a Sociology professor at Stonehill College and an accomplished musician. Deborah is the proud mom of 2 Milton Public School students – Ruby is in 9th grade at Milton High School, and Bailey is a 2021 Milton High School graduate.
This is Milbauer’s second photography exhibit (ever) at the Milton Public Library. The first was in 2012, a similar project capturing 30 families who lived within a few streets of her Milton, MA home in honor of the town’s 350th anniversary. The 2012 exhibit was re-exhibited virtually in 2020 and can be seen here: www.miltonlibrary.libguides.com/art/ChangingFaceofMilton.
School Committee Quality Review Community Forum
On October 28th, 2021, the Milton Public School Committee conducted two community forums in regards to the Quality Review Results to hear insight from the community as wells as answer questions. In both sessions, there were rich discussions where some insights were shared and suggestions were made.
The Milton Public School district would like to thank all who attended and engaged in the discussion. We look forward to creating more spaces where authentic dialogue occurs and respect is shared among all participants.