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Racial Injustice/Equality
On November 22, 1865, the Mississippi legislature enacted "An Act to regulate the relation of master and apprentice, as relates to freedmen, free negroes, and mulattoes," a statute that authorized local officials to bind orphaned Black children or those whose parents were deemed unable to care for them to white "masters or mistresses."
History watches with quiet disdain,
For itβs seen this cycle time and again.
A rise, a reign, a fall, a grave,
The endless march of the strong to the slave.
Yet amid the ruin, a seed may lie,
Waiting for rain, for a clearer sky.
For nations fall, but people endure,
And from the ashes, they find what is pure.
Perhaps one day, from lessons learned,
A brighter flame may yet be burned.
But for now, the walls come tumbling down,
A fallen nation wears its crown.
Voices once bold now whisper in fear,
As shadows of ruin draw ever near.
The pillars crack, the statues weep,
A nation falls while the worldβs asleep.
Its people, splintered, lost in blame,
Casting stones, igniting flame.
The ties that bound are frayed, undone,
And unity fades like the setting sun.
The fields lie fallow, the rivers run dry,
The eagle's cry turns into a sigh.
Promises made now turn to dust,
As leaders betray the sacred trust.
The Fall of a Nation
Once, the land was crowned in gold,
A beacon of hope, a dream retold.
Its banners flew in the morning light,
Promising justice, strength, and right.
But empires crumble, as all things do,
Built on foundations too frail, untrue.
The mortar of greed, the bricks of pride,
Collapse in silence where truth has died.
The events surrounding the November 22 meeting and the subsequent massacre underscore the complexities and tragedies of U.S.-Native American relations in the 19th century. They highlight the challenges Native leaders faced in their efforts to secure peace and the devastating consequences of miscommunication and mistrust between Indigenous communities and the U.S. government.
Known as the Battle of the Washita River, this assault resulted in the deaths of Black Kettle, his wife, and numerous members of the Cheyenne tribe. The attack has been widely criticized for its brutality and is often cited as a stark example of the injustices faced by Native American communities during westward expansion.
This refusal to negotiate left the tribes in a precarious position, unable to secure the peace they sought.
Tragically, just days later, on November 27, 1868, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry in a surprise attack on Black Kettle's encampment along the Washita River.
He emphasized that his camp, consisting of about 180 lodges on the Washita River, was not involved in the ongoing hostilities.
Despite their earnest appeals, Hazen informed the chiefs that he lacked the authority to negotiate peace terms, as General Philip Sheridan had declared the Cheyenne and Arapaho hostile. Hazen advised them to return to their territory, warning that any military actions against them would be under Sheridan's command, not his.
In mid-November 1868, prominent chiefs, including Black Kettle and Little Robe of the Cheyenne, along with Big Mouth and Spotted Wolf of the Arapaho, approached Fort Cobb seeking peace. They expressed a desire to relocate their people south of the Arkansas River to avoid hostilities and to live peacefully near the fort. Black Kettle articulated his commitment to peace, stating his efforts to restrain his young men from engaging in conflicts north of the Arkansas.
Native American Heritage Month
On November 22, 1868, Colonel William B. Hazen, stationed at Fort Cobb in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), reported a significant meeting with leaders of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. This encounter occurred during a tumultuous period marked by escalating tensions and conflicts between Native American tribes and the United States government.
As the nation grapples with these issues, the transgender community continues to advocate for equal rights and protections, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respect in policy discussions.
These events reflect the broader national discourse on transgender rights, particularly concerning access to gender-appropriate facilities. The confrontations at Georgetown University and the threats received by Mace's staffer illustrate the polarized views and the urgent need for constructive dialogue.
In a related development, Mace shared a threatening voicemail directed at one of her staffers, containing homophobic slurs and encouraging self-harm. This threat followed Mace's efforts to restrict transgender women from using female restrooms, underscoring the heightened emotions and dangers surrounding this debate.