EDITORIAL
Supremacist kids
symptom of society
A white supremacy youth group bused in Vancou
ver, Wush. has been distributing literature in Eugene
for four months now in a probable attempt to gain new
members.
Pliers from the group Southern Justice appeared at
Lane Community College in February, and a sticker do
picting a hooded figure warning of u "business call" by
the Ku Klux Klan was pasted on a mural showing chil
dren of all colors living in harmony at the offices of
Clergy and Laity Concerned last month.
A flier was also found earlier this week at the fu
ture home of a local black man
The fliers describe the group’s goals of establishing
u white homeland in the Pacific Northwest that would
forbid divorce, banish people of color and let women
work solely in the home.
The group, which surfaced 1 1/2 years ago. claims
it is affiliated with the National Confederacy of the Ku
Klux Klan and is made up mostly of young members.
Why are these kids acting out such hate? What is
wrong with our society? Why are they vulnerable to
such destructive behavior?
Don't they know hate breeds hate? Don't they know
they have absolutely no
right to grind their con
fused foot into another
person's hack? Obviously
not. Though they ad
tough and scary, these are
children — young impres
sionable people. .Some
where along the line they
missed out on the basic
rules of common human
decency and considera
tion, learning only fear
and intimidation.
Yes. fear. People don't
act this wav unless they
And for those
who insist that
prejudice Is
commendable,
think twice about
the fact that
what goes
around does
indeed come
around.
foul threatened; led u need to protect something.
Those kids uro going to grow up someday. and will
purtici|>ute in this society us adults. Unless they begin
to learn different. America is going to got real ugly.
Our youth is the next generation, and we are all re
sponsible for these children — regardless of color. This
all-white homeland they seek, with zero options for
pcxipie of color and women is absolutely ridiculous. It
can't happen.
We cun’t afford prejudice. It kills and maims not
only the victims but the praeliccrs. And for those who
insist that prejudice is commendable, think twice
about the fact that what goes around does indeed come
around. It's boon estimated that by the year 2(XK). peo
ple oLcolor will outnumber whites. It'd Ik; real interest
ing to check back in with these folks then to see how
they fool about oppression.
Fortunately, not everyone is prejudiced and sexist.
It's more important thun ever for these people to pull
together. In this way, we will all survive, which is
more important thun any single race's perseverance.
Oregon Daily
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OPINION
Native Americans find strength
THE FINE
PRINT
,1 BY CATHIE DANIFtS
R iiroly do people act on
their own bch.ilf to heal
11 ml help themselves
However, .1 group I'H *»l Nil
live Americans is doing just
lluil
The group's beginning is in
spiring in itsell The non-profit
orgnni/.ation. < .died Tribal Out
reach, w.is started nine years
ago bv an Indian couple who
wanted to help their people.
Having exponent eil most of the
hardships plaguing today's Na
tive Americans. Joe and Chero
kee wanted to work (or positive
change in the valley's Indian
community
Now operating out of a Long
house, or traditional meeting
place, donated by the Univorsi
tv's Native American .Student
Union, the group has pot lucks
on I'riday nights at 7; drug and
alcohol rehabilitation meetings
Monday nights at 7; and drum
ming Wednesday nights at 7.
Aiming the Tribal Outreach's
motivations is the re-ostablish
ment and practice of traditional
native culture and values. A va
riety of classes meant to pass
these important principles onto
the next generation are also
planned, ranging from fancy
dancing to drum making.
A quote from the group's
monthly newsletter reads: "Bo
challenged, inspire others...
let's practice interconnection,
concern and love. Uniting in
respect and trust. Strengthening
where there is weakness and
need.” Native American pride
and honor Is the name of the
game here, pivoting upon (heir
motto: "A hand up. not a hand
out!"
The group distributed more
than nine tons of clothing and
furniture last year to Native
families all over Oregon, along
with cords of wood and more
than 700 presents at Christmas.
The first half of this year was
spent sorting clothes and
household articles at the Long
house, and operating fry bread
si,imis a! paw wows and local
celebrations lo raise money.
The power of this growing
organization lies in the re
strengthening of Native people
at large hy Native people, liach
group member plays a key role
in Tribal Outreach's operation
via participation in the many
activities anti tasks
One of the organization’s phi
losophies maintains that work
must liegin now to save the In
dian people, or there will even
tually be no people lo save.
Though the country’s Indian
population continues ;o grow,
killers like drugs, alcohol and
general abuse are destroying
the lives of Native people
Problems like thi'se are found
won every people me world
over Rut in lire Native Ameri
cans' rase, they stem from the
pain liegun 500 years ago when
their lanci was not only infil
trated hut their people mistreat
ed and slaughtered
The disrespec t shown these
people continues today Trea
ties have been broken so many
timers, most have either disap
peared or are a mere shadow of
what they once were The sad
and ugly ignorance of prejudice
continues to exist, hurting and
angering the spirit of its vic
tims. And today's native people
are rarely, if over, acknowl
edged in America's menu of
races — as if they have actually
perished or been assimilated
into the "majority" race.
The fact is the original peo
ple of this country are still alive
and well Their strong tradi
tions and culture survive toduy,
and they must be acknowl
edged as a distinct people, de
serving of respect and support.
Their continued survival is
no doubt a thorn in the Ameri
can government's guilty side.
Unfair treatment of Native
Americans has been common
practice since day one The
government's greatest hope is
that of either total assimilation
or destruction of the Indian
people, finally relieving them
of the mess they made and
leaving them free to do as they
please with every last shred of
this land.
Again, this country's Native
The time has come
for organizations
like this — for the
healing and
empowerment of
the Native
American people.
people tire still here, and de
serve. ut the very least, recogni
tion und respect. Tribal Out
reach is motivated by the pow
er of its people, centered and
led by the spirit of their elders.
It also welcomes people of col
or throughout the urea, working
to provide a foundation of
strength, growth and support to
all who come.
The Long house is also open
to Euro-Americans respectful of
the Indian way. The activities
and group interaction provide
the i hance for learning and the
building of necessary healing
bonds.
There was a time when Joe
and Cherokee were the only
ones who showud up at Tribal
Outreach's functions. Recently,
the Long House was filled with
more than 70 people at a
Wednesday night drumming.
Something good is happening
here, and it's growing every
day The time has come for or
ganizations like this — for the
healing and empowerment of
the Native American people
Tribal Outreach encourages
all those who would like to
support and/or participate in
any of their activities to get in
volved The group operates on
the principle of people helping
people, and there's a variety of
ways you can help Financial
donations am accepted, as am
gifts of labor, ranging from
cooking to fixing vehicles.
The Long House is located on
Columbia Street on the Univer
sity campus. Joe and Cherokee
may bo contacted at 688-8018,
2144 Ohio St., Eugene, OR
97402
Cathie Daniels is an editorial
editor for the Emerald.