Posted by:
Fluhist
(
)
Date: July 15, 2013 08:41PM
Sorry if I am taking up more than my share of this thread, but I am SO angry about this.
I must explain. I am an Australian of European descent (therefore you understand VERY white and delightsome *vomit!!*) and Australia has no better record when it comes to Indigenous peoples and racism than any other western colonised country. However, we are making good inroads into that racism, and my job is part of that. I tutor students of Aboriginal descent at university, to help overcome any educational disadvantage they have experienced because they are Indigenous. I am tutoring one of my student this year (who I am VERY proud of) in a Masters degree in Peace studies, which includes non violent protest. Sooooo with my anger if FULL rage, but my brain in gear I have the following suggestion for that Branch.
Arrange for every person of Native Indian descent (I apologise if that is not the name you would prefer, but I am unaware of how else to express it), as well as any people of other descent who wish to help, to obtain full native costume for next Sunday, with breehes, beaded dresses, moccasins and even beaded head bands with feathers. Arrive in a group and be sure to greet all members of the branch VERY politely, and proceed as a quiet and reverent group into the chapel and sit at the FRONT of the room. Sit quietly and reverently through the entire service. However, be sure to have with you a photographer from the local newspaper to record any response to this event, positive or negative, for the next edition of the newspaper. If you decide to do it, GOOD LUCK, I am with you every step of the way!!
Also, while I am unaware of the finer points of the law in the US, but it seems to me that what that Hitlarian BP did was against the law. It would be here. As long as the lovely Native Indian sister was not causing any disturbance in the Church meeting (and I am sure she wasn't) she could not be asked to leave for wearing something that is of her culture.
Number 1. The Church, when a service is on. is a public venue that anyone can attend as long as they do not interfere with the service, eg yelling, swearing etc.
Bumber 2. Any form of racism is illegal, and certainly the banning of her indigenous looking clothing is right up there with racism.
I am only making a guess based on my own understanding, but I think this is worth looking into. That dear lady has her rights within a democratic society to attend church in whatever she chooses to wear, ESPECIALLY her own Indigenous clothing. Indeed, to most people, she should be WELCOMED for her pride in her people. Perhaps the police and/or a lawyer could be contacted concerning this AWFUL incident.