Between the results of the presidential election and the setbacks with the stopping of the Dakota Access Pipeline, it is obvious things are not going my way. I want a sacred, free America, an America that is inclusive, fair and open minded. I want an America I can be proud of, as an American of African and Native American descent, one I can trust without fear of greed or the practice of being avarice.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines the word “avarice” as, an extreme desire to amass wealth, cupidity.
I want human life, the land and the waters of our planet to be respected. But there seems to be an angry elephant in the middle of the room wanting water to cool its rising temperature and back rubs to relieve its aches and pains. And there are snakes climbing through the windows wanting to be fed.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines the word “sacred” as,(4) worthy of reverence or respect.
Every living being desires to be held reverent and valuable. We all crave for basic human respect. But, what we sometimes forget is to complete the “circle of loving.” To be “loving” means to honor and hold something in high esteem.
In order to be loving, it has to be sacred. Because in the “circle of loving” the word “sacred” definitely means to be respectable and compassionate by giving and receiving love. It also means to have an open ear to hear the story of both parties engaging in the relationship, a conversation in unity. It means it is not a conversation to win an argument, but a conversation to understand your partner in the conversation. To be sacred is to have respect.
The American Heritage Dictionary of English Language defines the word “respect” as, (1) to feel or show esteem for; to honor (2) To show consideration for; avoid violation of; treat with deference.
In the act of showing respect, you must honor the validity of all living things and their purpose of living. A person’s culture is the collective code of living and a collective expression of life itself. Our world is the collection of many countries and cultures that have fed us and allowed this human process to grow so we may join together in knowledge and sharing. But, in our sharing, we must remember to give back. And the act of giving back means to respect the source of the gifting.
The Native Americans of our country have given much due to the codes of their traditions and their cultural mandate to serve Mother Earth. America has taken advantage of our “Original People” from the day they set foot on the land called The United States of America. We took their, land, their lives, their children and tried to take their culture with no respect for the roots of their traditions. The original Americans came and took what they wanted to survive and thrive and today it is still happening.
It is time to repay the gift given. We need to close the wounds of the violations with tolerance and forgiveness. And again, the gift of tolerance and forgiveness has already been given to the rest of America by the Native Americans already. All these acts of intolerance against them were acts of greed. And we are seeing the “Black Snake” or fossil fuel coming to get its due, backed by greedy corporations.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines the word “greed,” as a rapacious desire for more than one needs or deserves, as of food, or power; avarice.
The need for fossil fuel is becoming outdated, yet segments of the society are determined to maintain the status quo. We are depleting our planet, the land and the animals are suffering from the venom of the Black Snake. We need to honor our planet and its people, as well as their cultures. We should be unity in the purpose of supporting life, not putting it in harm’s way. The sacredness of tribal burial grounds should be respected. The safety of the life-giving waters should be respected, for they are vital and sacred.
Decisions should not be made in a state of one being avarice. When we learn to listen with an ear of compassion, we can bypass our wanton need to control and own.
We can only be an effective united people unless we become united in our states of being united. Then, we would be existing within the sacredness of our founding documents that are just now coming into fruition. Let’s sign the document and start the conversation again.