P i n k • F e m i n i s t

I call this animal abuse.

This dog just read about the latest casualties in Iraq.

It is understandably upset and angry.

For some reason, I think this is a riot.

I recently saw some old sepia pictures of Native American women. These were beautifully rendered, but often historical and contemporary stereotypes of Native American Indian women have resulted in inaccurate and/or insensitive images.

There seems to be a divide, a schism in their portrayal. Mass media, movies, and printed materials frequently continue to portray Native American Indian women as either princesses or savages.

There is often little middle ground.

Native American Indian women are often affected by myths and stereotypes that are spread by the media, popular literature, and movies.

The "Pocahontas paradox" represents a dilemma for Native American Indian women. This historical movement has persisted in both the romanticization and vilification of Native American Indian women.

In this movement from political symbolism (where the Indian women defended America in the early 1600s), to psychosexual symbolism (where she defends or dies for White lovers), we can see part of the Indian woman's dilemma.

To be "good," she must defy her own people, exile herself, become White, and perhaps suffer death. This sets up an understandable cultural dilemma.

Although there are tremendous variations in Native American Indian tribes and nations, the traditional perspectives of Native American Indian women can be generalized. Generally, Native American Indian women value being mothers and rearing healthy families; spiritually, they are considered to be extensions of the Spirit Mother and continuators of their people; socially, they serve as transmitters of cultural knowledge and caretakers of children and relatives.

A woman's identity in traditional Native American Indian life is ultimately rooted in her spirituality, extended family, and tribe.

They see themselves in harmony
with the biological, spiritual, and social worlds.

A traditional Cheyenne saying is that a nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Native American Indian women have struggled to keep their hearts off the ground by being strong.

TEST: What kind of hippie are you? Neopagan You are 50% experimental, 54% feral, 59% spiritual, and 0% square!

Congratulations! You're a Neopagan. Well, maybe you're not precisely a pagan, but you have a deep love for primitive nature, and a strong sense of the spiritual. You feel the beauty of the wild around you and feel choked in the city. The hippie world needs you, because you bring together the beauty of the wild and the magic of the heart. If you believe that opposites attract, you probably find yourself around Ravers. If you are more inclined to enjoy the company of those with similar attitudes, then other Neopagans, as well as the Faerie-child, Treehugger, and Full-blown Hippie are for you. The other categories are Alternate/a>, Mystic, Feral and of course, the Non-hippie

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

	You scored higher than 40% on experimental
	You scored higher than 40% on feral
	You scored higher than 20% on spiritual
	You scored higher than 0% on non-hippie

Very old in the Native American world is the conviction that the earth is vital, that there is a spiritual dimension to it . . . in which we rightly exist. . . .

I think: Inasmuch as I am in the land, it is appropriate that I should affirm myself in the spirit of the land. . . . In the natural order an individual invests him/herself in the landscape and at the same time incorporates the landscape into his own most fundamental experience. This trust is sacred. Hence, my garden.

This process of investment and appropriation is, I believe, preeminently a function of the imagination. It is accomplished by means of an act of the imagination that is especially ethical in kind. We are what we imagine ourselves to be.

Bush, these deaths I lay at your feet. You and cRummy and Condi and Cheney. And all the others who have plotted with you to weaken this country and place all our children in danger.
You are the one, the cowboy, the villain, no, villain is too weak a word for what you have done. Let me call you what you are, monster.

Thousands of Americans, soldiers from a handful of other countries, nearly 600,000 Iraqis, all dead. Because you have a large flaw where your heart should be.

To the Mothers of the Martyred Dead upon the Field of Battle

JOSEPHINE TURCK BAKER

My flesh cries out for its own flesh!
My blood demands its own heart's blood!
The thundrous roar of cannon is the answer to my call.
Give me back my flesh and blood!
To bring forth I did pass through dark Gethsemane,
And bear with Him the tortures of the Cross;
And to what end? to add one more unto
The martyred dead upon the field of battle.
His dear face, covered with my kisses,
Upturned in marble coldness, blood-stained,
The death-dew gathering on his brow.
His sweet voice, lingering fondly "Farewell, Mother!" forever
stilled.

poem from the Book by Vincent Godfrey Burns; Macmillan, 1930

When seeds are buried in the dark earth, their inward secrets become the flourishing garden.

- Rumi

The Qur'an is aimed for redirecting human beings toward Allah. It calls itself "guidance for humankind" (hudan li'l nas) in sura 2:185. This often repeated reference to humankind and not to Muslims, Arabs, Chinese, or the Quraishi tribe is to underscore the Qur'an's eternal and universal message. It is not directed to any one specific ethnic, religious, tribal, or racial group. Rather, God is speaking to the entire humankind. The Qur'an is not a treatise about God and his nature, instead it is a reminder for humankind of God's infinite mercy, God is Creator, sustainer of the universe and of human beings, and in particular the giver of guidance to his creation.

Child of Europe

As befits human beings, we explored good and evil

Our malignant wisdom has no like on this planet.

There can be no question of force triumphant.
We live in the age of victorious justice.

Do not mention force, or you will be accused
Of upholding fallen doctrines in secret.

He who has power, has it by historical logic.
Respectfully bow to that logic.

. . . . . . . . .

Let your lie be even more logical than the truth itself,
So the weary travelers may find repose in the lie.

After the Day of the Lie gather in select circles,
Shaking with laughter when our real deeds are mentioned.

( "Child of Europe," SP, 59-62.)

A big thanks to Lily, AKA Elizabeth Branford, for giving this Chuch Lady the facelift she has been pining for! Look at all the bells, links and whistles!! I feel like I have a new toy!!

You have a god (sic) heart, Liliana!!! Thanks.

After hearing about the Florida Foley scandal, I just felt like this lady in the picture looks.