Thread by @kiwani

@supmikeclines @supmikeclines Dear Sir, I was extremely upset to see the disrespectful actions of the @CovCathSch boys in DC this wknd. As you are aware, many taunted & jeered a Native American Elder, made racist gestures, & mocked Native cultural ways. I watched all the..1/cont.

various video clips, even long, 1:46min video showing full confrontation. It incl. more Catholic school students than just @CovCathSch students. I am certain you have now seen the full accounts, also. So you understand my position, I do not place blame solely on the students. 2/

The video clearly shows the Black Israelites challenging the public with their public speech that was difficult for many people to hear/or understand. That they challenged & verbally attacked the boys is just the beginning. The boys, after standing back & listening for a good 3/

long while, clearly, at some point they decided, as a group, that they should take a different tack, & began to close in on the Black Islamist speakers. They got closer & closer to them, nearly encompassing them. It was at this point the Native Elder, Mr. Nathan Phillips, ..4/

recognized the potential threat toeard violence erupting, & began to move his drumming ceremony between the two groups to diffuse the situation. As you may have noticed, most people/students stepped immediately aside to let him pass, until he came to Mr. Sandman, who refused ..5/

to move aside, & stood firm, refusing to budge with a smug, derisive mocking smile, & a slightly taunting, challenging look on his face. To challenge ANY elder in this manner is absolutely unacceptable, but particularly so, to Native Elders who are particularly revered & ..6/

respected in Native American culture. To do so, is a particularly heinous insult. It is more than breaking a social norm, as it has become in the larger American society today, it is breaking the strict moray that upholds Native American culture & societal family structure...7/

Elders are sacred. To disrespect elders is strictly out-of-bounds, even when one is most angry & out of control.
I do not think Mr. Sandman & the other students are aware of this, &/or they care not, or think it unimportant bcz it is not 'their' culture so it does not matter...8/

But it does.
I read @CovCathSch's stmt, re. investigation/action..up to & including expulsion.
I think the episode is most disrespectful, saddening, & disheartening..but I think, in a native tradition, it should become a teaching..a lesson.. opportunity for growth & maturing...9/

rather than a sole punitive exercise that will quickly be forgotten w/ no lesson learned, no growth, & possibly, lingering resentment.
I have a Master's in Social Work, & I'd like to suggest a step action plan..a teaching.. instead of suspension/expulsion...10/

*For ALL boys attending/DC:
1).Formal/Public apology to Mr. Nathan Phillips, the Omaha tribe, the school, their families.
2).Required: Take class on Native American Culture/History, & write 50+ pg research paper on subject, including emphasis on impact of 500+yrs of...11/

discrimination on American Indian tribes/individuals/& families, still in 21stC. Min grade req=B+
*For Mr. Sandman:
3).Formal/In-Person Apology to Mr. Phillips (even if req own $$/travel), & do something sincere/significant in penance for Mr. Phillips &/or Omaha Tribe.. #my2cents

Oops..correction to #4: used term Black Islamists in error.. correctly, the group self-identified as Black Israelites.

Another thought: perhaps Mr. Sandman/or another Elder or speaker/Native educator could come address, or provide a cultural education workshop for the @CovCathSch student body...

@threadreaderapp plz unroll