As I firmly believe that bribery is a much more effective motivator than threats (both for myself and for students), I promised one class of students that if they met certain criteria for two weeks, that I would take them to a movie this week. The following reading by Chief Tecumseh was used as a most effective voice-over throughout the movie. And hearing this during this week was serendipitous as it covers much of what I've been discussing and pondering with friends.
So live your life so the fear of death can never enter your
heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their
views,
and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life,
perfect your
life,
beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and
of service to your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when
you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or sign of salute when
meeting or passing a stranger if in a lonely place.
Show respect to all
people, but grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning, give thanks
for the light,
for your life and strength.
Give thanks for your food and
for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks,
the
fault lies in yourself.
Touch not the poisonous firewater
that makes
wise ones turn to fools and robs them of their visions.
When your time
comes to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of
death,
so that when their time comes
they weep and pray for a little
more time
to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your
death song,
and die like a hero going home.
Those are quite stirring sentiments... and until they mentioned "fire water," I was with them! This has been ascribed to at least six Native American leaders - but was probably written by John Dunn Hunter, who was held captive and raised amongst the Osage tribe, who published various of Tecumseh's speeches - or, variations on them - in "Memoirs of a Captivity among the Indians of North America" (1823). I don't dispute the strength of the words, but think that this is part of the "noble savage" other-ing that is so prevalent in 19th century literature - kind of like the "magical negro," and the "mystical Asian." All there to be helpful to the white dudes, and all equally disposable, in the end.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Junior sociologist in the house.