I know many of you could care less, or many will chastise me for this, hell, I may even be booted off here, but it is something I feel I need to do, and say, so bear with me before busting my chops please.
35 years and some months ago, I was born to a Portuguese person and a part Indian woman. As I was growing up, many of this mans mannerisms, ways of life and attitudes either were attempted to be instilled on me, or were successful. One of the many inconsequential statements he made, was the fact that the only true Americans were (these are his words) "Mexicans and wet***ks" At first, as a young kid, I agreed with him, every picture of every Indian and Hispanic person I saw, looked a lot alike. Every one of his prejudices were slammed into our brains (there were 3 of us) as kids and we grew up with them ingrained into our minds
Then I grew up and joined the military, and this is where my eyes were opened up. I learned different cultures, I learned different ways of life, I witnessed the true atrocities of all indigenous people around the world. Then I met my first Native American, and I have to admit, my *** was kicked because of the questions I asked and the prejudices I had. I also learned that many of the prejudices I had against the Indians, were in fact against myself because I am Native American blood. No, I am not full blooded, no I am not even half blooded, nor have I ever claimed such.
You see, I am a proud man, I am proud of my heritage, I am proud of my family and my children, but I am not proud of my father, nor what he did to us, or the things he said or his way of life.
I see many issues that arise today, that had I not gotten out on my own, I would have ignored them all, and one thing I really mean from the bottom of my heart..
I am sorry, I apologize deeply to each and every one of you, and my ancestors for the things I did in the past when I was growing up, until I learned my lesson.
beat me up, shoot me, ignore me, or hate me, do as you want, but this is something I feel I needed to say.
35 years and some months ago, I was born to a Portuguese person and a part Indian woman. As I was growing up, many of this mans mannerisms, ways of life and attitudes either were attempted to be instilled on me, or were successful. One of the many inconsequential statements he made, was the fact that the only true Americans were (these are his words) "Mexicans and wet***ks" At first, as a young kid, I agreed with him, every picture of every Indian and Hispanic person I saw, looked a lot alike. Every one of his prejudices were slammed into our brains (there were 3 of us) as kids and we grew up with them ingrained into our minds
Then I grew up and joined the military, and this is where my eyes were opened up. I learned different cultures, I learned different ways of life, I witnessed the true atrocities of all indigenous people around the world. Then I met my first Native American, and I have to admit, my *** was kicked because of the questions I asked and the prejudices I had. I also learned that many of the prejudices I had against the Indians, were in fact against myself because I am Native American blood. No, I am not full blooded, no I am not even half blooded, nor have I ever claimed such.
You see, I am a proud man, I am proud of my heritage, I am proud of my family and my children, but I am not proud of my father, nor what he did to us, or the things he said or his way of life.
I see many issues that arise today, that had I not gotten out on my own, I would have ignored them all, and one thing I really mean from the bottom of my heart..
I am sorry, I apologize deeply to each and every one of you, and my ancestors for the things I did in the past when I was growing up, until I learned my lesson.
beat me up, shoot me, ignore me, or hate me, do as you want, but this is something I feel I needed to say.
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