Can’t Heal Until the Bleeding Stops

Listening to the news this morning, I suddenly became irritated, annoyed, frustrated and just plain mad. The news achor started off the news like this:
” Good Morning Richmond, today’s news is bleak, but let’s get to it. Last night protestors in Washington brought traffic to s standstill. Over 500 people came out, protesting the jury’s verdict in the Ferguson case….”

I flipped the channel before he could finish the story. Look, I am against racial profiling, racism, hate, discrimination and anything else that has to do with the racial wars. White is white, black is black….we all live and breathe the same air, so what exactly is the problem? If this young man robbed a store, didn’t follow the policeman’s orders and got shot, why is this a huge news-making deal breaker? Listen, I am Native American, hailing proudly from Lakota Sioux Tribe. Let’s talk about racial tension, hatred and discrimination. The Trail of Tears in 1831, caused over 4000 Native Americans from numerous tribes to lose their lives all because the “white man” wanted their land. Many just chalk the Trail of Tears up as a historical event….ok, fine. Let’s talk about the Battle Of Wounded Knee. It is maybe, possibly similar to Ferguson. To insure that I do not cross my opinion with the facts, I have copied this from the internet:
“On the morning of December 29, the troops went into the camp to disarm the Lakota. One version of events claims that during the process of disarming the Lakota, a deaf tribesman named Black Coyote was reluctant to give up his rifle, claiming he had paid a lot for it.[6] A scuffle over Black Coyote’s rifle escalated and a shot was fired which resulted in the 7th Cavalry’s opening fire indiscriminately from all sides, killing men, women, and children, as well as some of their own fellow soldiers. The Lakota warriors who still had weapons began shooting back at the attacking soldiers, who quickly suppressed the Lakota fire. The surviving Lakota fled, but U.S. cavalrymen pursued and killed many who were unarmed.” ( Source Wikipedia)

Did you know that over 300 Lakota people were killed that day? Mostly women and children. Unarmed women and children. What makes this even worse, did you know that 25 men from the 7th Calvary were awarded Medals of Honor for their actions on that day? After the massacre, there weren’t any Native American protests, no marches, no slurs of “that’s because we are red that they killed so many of us…” The Natives did not form lines, shout “burn this fort down”, nor did they loot the neighboring villages.

But you say, ” Oh Jessi, you don’t know what really happened at the Battle of Wounded Knee. You don’t know what really happened, who had guns and who didn’t. You don’t know anything at all about Black Coyote.” Well, you are right, but do tell me…..How can you pass judgement about Ferguson? None of us can speak to what really happened that day….but we can all speak to the behaviors that are being exhibited today by “protestors”.

What exactly is gained by blocking 395 or any other highway? What are you protesting exactly? The verdict? Blocking traffic does what exactly? What did the looting do for the case? Robbing Toys R Us is supposed to make the world stand up and take notice of what?

I just don’t understand. Maybe I never will.

Flipping through the channels, I seemed to be catching all the bad news. “This morning in DC, a 75-year-old male committed suicide. He was recently diagnosed with dementia, which police believe to be the motive for the self-inflicted gunshot wound…police are continuing to investigate.” How tragic. a man takes his own life, fearing the worst for himself, made a choice. Motive? I don’t think I have ever though of dementia as a motive for anything……until now.

The news continued on….more shootings, more break ins and burglaries….more sexual assaults…..the news just ripped though my last nerve……..Finally, the news anchor came back on, sounding upbeat and positive. Whew, maybe now for some good news! He introduced his “distinguished guest” and began their idle chatter about politics and the recent firing of a White House Staffer who criticized the daughters of the President.

” What do you think this woman was thinking, David, when she spoke out and criticized the daughters of President?”, The anchor seemed poised for the guest’s reply.

” I think if she had an opinion, she should have kept it to herself.”

I lowered my coffee cup, carefully gripping the remote, ready to flip if this line of questions/answers continued.

The anchor resumed, ” Let me ask you this David. What is your opinion on the Ferguson Protestors?”

Before David could I answer, I switched the TV off. Why do I care what David thinks? If the media would stop broadcasting every two minutes about Ferguson, maybe the limelight would fade. Nothing will change based on their looting, protesting or blocking traffic….nothing. Nor will anything change for the White House Staffer who made the wrong remark at the wrong time……and you know what? The 75-year-old man who took his own life, well, he matters too! Why isn’t someone stopping traffic, raising banners and waving flags protesting his death? What of the rape victims? Who is listening to them? The victims of other crimes…..where is their voice, flash mob and theater? Where are government officials when a Service Member of the US Armed Forces comes home in a body bag? Have you ever seen breaking news for a Presidential speech as a plane lands at Dover Air Force Base to unload the remains of our Fallen? Have you ever seen a news break for fallen Law Enforcement Officer killed in the line of duty? Where are the reports of those who die in service to us, protecting, serving and defending us??????????

You see, the 75-year-old man who took his life, he too had a family….He had people like me, who would have helped him, struggled along side of him…..and made his life as comfortable as possible..but he chose to end his life and not fight a losing battle. His little news story was a ” filler” lasting only maybe 30 seconds….I wonder what he thought about Ferguson, or did he even think of it at all? Had anyone ever asked him what he thought about the shooting, or the jury or the verdict? Why was his opinion not heard? Why, dear reader, has no one interviewed you and gathered information on your views about Ferguson or the White House Staffer?

My point to this long ramble is this. A wound will never heal as long as it continues to bleed. We are a bleeding nation….and until we stop the bleeding……..we will never heal.