Rambling Journal Entry #161207: Succinct words yet still fail me
at describing the emotions that were given to me Oceti Sakowin Camp on Saturday and Sunday. Overall, just an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the residents, and those who are supporting them, have been doing, and are doing in an effort to stand for their rights, and to stand for the environment. New friendships were discovered, and others were strengthened. Thank you to Jeffrey Eide, Kirsten Yeado, Andrea Denault, Michael Lopez, and so many others for their companionship. I witnessed so much community while there. They are not an ashamed people. Nary an idle soul was seen. We delivered supplies to those building sturdy shelters. I was able to help other Veterans put up military tents. Giving encouragement to those there in the thick of it all. The prayer ceremonies and the healing ceremonies were simply a needed balm. People of all faiths, religions, traditions, united in prayer.
My additional thoughts: When someone you love is gravely injured, do you not stay by their side, and work with those who are trying to help them recover? If it is someone you know who is gravely injured, do you mock and ridicule those who are trying to help that one recover? Do you hope for their death? Do you demand that they just go home, and quit wasting the hospital's resources?
Our Native American neighbors and friends and relatives are doing just that, in their effort to #StandWithStandingRock and saying #NoDAPL. They know that the environment, the water, has been gravely injured. They are staying by its side to protect it, and to help in its recovery. They are doing all this while those at a distance sit on their computers and hurl insults and wish for the blizzard to get rid of those idiots who are just being ridiculous.
This is our environment. This is our water. There is NO hypocrisy in taking a stand. Use that word as much as you want against me. Call me an idiot. Call me ridiculous. Tell me to go home. I've been gay too long to let your words sprouted from your own fears have any destructive impact upon me. But just quit using your fear against those you do not know.
God has called us to take care of this planet. He has also called us to care for our brother, our sister, the least, and our enemy. You have a moral soul. Use it. Your words of hatred are destructive. Your sharing news of twisted information is doing nothing but bearing false witness against others.
Peace and compassion be with all. Peace, Salaam, Shalom.
