Editor’s note: This article was submitted for publication Fall 2018. This is a late upload.
By: Wayne Head
Bookeen bericharay aneetray (in beauty it is finished), Catawba language blessing.
I had started two other articles both of which would lecture people to make better decisions for each other. I just saw a Facebook posting concerning an exchange between a sitting president and a former first lady. I once again asked myself where could this nation possibly be headed with all of this raw contention that seems to flow routinely from the District of Colombia?
A former president once remarked that a nation divided against itself cannot stand. This statement was echoed from the New Testament of the Holy Bible, Mark3:35 “and if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” It really saddens me to see hatred becoming mainstream and almost commonplace. I have seen at least three instances of Euro Americans railing at people of color for speaking another language or for their appearance, in the media. The vitriolic vigor which they use in haranguing their fellow citizens is disheartening and problematic. People pushing a personal agenda of racism and intolerance is un-American to me. We have grown past the days that Irish immigrants were denied entrance into restaurants and businesses, “no Irish or dogs allowed.”
Tecumseh, Chief of the Shawnee people, tried to get other Native American Nations to join him in a confederacy against the United States regarding settlers coming into their homelands. He is quoted as speaking the following words in a speech:
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion, respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people… Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision…”
In 1811, Tecumseh visited many tribes in the north and the south to gain adherents to his confederacy. One of the tribes that he visited was the Catawba in South Carolina. In 1763, Shawnee warriors killed a prominent Catawba leader, King Haigler. Despite this history, the Catawba people welcomed Tecumseh and allowed him to share his vision with the tribe. They did not attack him or his contingency and he was free to come, stay, talk, then leave unmolested. The Catawba Indian Nation did not join Tecumseh in his mission to push out interlopers into his homeland. They treated him with respect and courtesy and allowed him to visit and leave their lands safely.
We, as a nation, have many examples to draw from in how to address differences in our citizenry, belief systems, value systems, and lifestyles. The New Testament is one such reservoir of examples on how to treat others. The Declaration of Independence, all men are created equal, is another reference point, and the speech and actions of Tecumseh, Native American, are another. Not to mention the golden rule, common decency, and good manners.
So, please practice tolerance in those interactions that you have with others that you might be in some form of disagreement with from time to time. Agree to disagree and treat each as human beings, Americans, and children of the Almighty.
