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Now
Years ago, in more simple and personal
times, I decided to write a letter to then U.S. Congressman Manuel
Lujan, regarding the first Oñate Statue that is currently
on display in Alcade, NM. It was not an easy thing to do, as
I had never taken part in any social activism and as people who
know me, know I did not even take part in common everyday social
interaction. I have always been much of hermit. I painted; I
did my work as an artist and that was enough. Then reading the
paper one day I learned that a statue to the Spanish conquistador
Oñate, was set to go up in Alcade, a village just north
of Espanola. Alcalde is where Oñate had a home.
An emotion that I can only
describe as visceral rose up inside me. I wasn't quite sure what
to do; all I had was this helpless anger. I talked to other people
about it and overwhelmingly it was agreed that this statue was
a travesty and a slap in the face to the Mothers and Fathers
who sacrificed for our continuance. I say continuance and not
"survival", because we are continuing as strong people,
we are not merely "surviving".
Even though many people expressed
outrage over this conquistador monument, no one was doing anything
about it. I was looking for others to do something and getting
angry when nothing was being done.
I wrote a letter to Mr. Lujan
and expressed my disgust with the Oñate statue. I got
an answer in a form letter that there was nothing that could
be done to change the monument, because it was mandated by Congress.
More accurately I say it was mandated by Manuel Lujan.
I could not see how such a
racist and offensive statue created by government funds, could
be so easily installed in a public place and presented as romantic
and heroic history.
What about the people who were
murdered and even butchered? What about the Land that was stolen?
Whoever mentions the women who were raped, and the children stolen
never to return or know their people again?
And It was through this small
and seemingly insignificant letter writing event that my life
direction changed. I became an activist when I realized that
if we desire social change, sometimes we can't wait for others
to move first.
Some people may think there
isn't any big deal with the way indigenous history is being portrayed
the way it is, that is; from the victors point of view. We lost,
so why don't we just deal with it? (As I have heard some people
say.) And what is wrong with a bronze statue anyway? But the
cold dismal fact is that a bronze will stand for thousands of
years. In a thousand years people will remember the Spanish conquistador
as romantic and heroic.
In El Paso, Texas, the largest
equestrian bronze monument in the history of man is currently
being installed at the El Paso Airport. 4-stories high it portrays
Oñate on horseback holding high a document referred to
as "la toma" in which the Spanish formally claimed
all Lands and natural resources north of the Rio Grande, and
held all peoples in subjugation to the Spanish crown.
Do you think any description
of this obscene statue will describe the horrific events that
were to come? Beloved Ak'u, Acoma; was destined to be destroyed
and the people butchered. Under Spanish rule from 1531 to 1638,
fully two thirds of the Indigenous population perished. You have
to read history to learn that, but these racists supporters of
these monuments make it easy to know only the lies and half truths.
The City of Albuquerque Arts Board has come up with a plan for
commemorative art works along 4th St., which is part of what
the Spanish call the El Camino Real, and what the arts board
co-named "The Road of Life". Ironically their so-called
"road of life" brought instead death.
How many people realize that
this so-called road "El Camino Real" was in truth an
ancient and holy road? It was used for thousands of years by
the Indigenous Peoples of North, Central and even South America.
What is happening to that memory?
And what will our memory be
of the Middle East? Latin America? That we brought violence and
destruction to thousands of innocent people in the name of Holy
Oil? Maybe. Maybe not. More likely, what the memory will be is
our heroic efforts to take Christianity, freedom and democracy
to godless people. The point is, what we may know only is what
is presented to us. In time lies and half truths do become the
truth; if we let it.
Many of you know Bob Anderson,
a longtime anti-war activist and many of you know too of his
peaceful nature. Bob in an anti war protest at the University
of New Mexico was arrested and thrown in jail for battery on
a police officer. Presently, he is banned from the University
of New Mexico. He has not even been convicted of the charges
of battery, yet he is banned. This is the political atmosphere
we live in today and why it is important to change it. Oppression
affects all people.
We take risks, nothing of worth
comes easy. If we wish to change this world we must take risks.
It means commitment; it means a decision to change our lives
and the society we live in. It doesn't matter how small that
action is. It is through action that we may make this a better
place. We all live here and if the voices of all the people are
not heard, we continue to live in an oppressive state.
As Indigenous People we are
not begging to be heard. We are not begging for inclusion in
this society.
We are demanding our place
in History. We are demanding that our history as indigenous people
be recounted and be remembered fairly. We are demanding our voices
be heard.
For any people to exist as
second rate citizens is unacceptable. As Indian People we will
not accept it. For as long as we continue in this society of
racism and divisiveness in the State New Mexico, and the City
of Albuquerque, we will continue to raise our voices.
It is not by simple happenstance,
that we have leaders, revolutionaries, activists, simple and
ordinary citizens, who act against the system. If the system
is oppressive it produces people who resist.
Consider our speakers today.
What social conditions brought forth their decisions to resist
oppression? If there is a need for change the people will step
forward. Look at the world over, look at Bosnia, Africa, Sudan,
Latin America and now Iraq, it goes on and on.
Oppression produces resistance
and the need for change. It begins with one small decision. It
begins within ourselves and no matter how seemingly insignificant
it may be, it effects other people. We can change our environment.
As you know everything travels
in a circle. Your contribution here, even by your presence will
return back to you in all the beautiful ways and all the blessings.
Dawa'e Hauba. Ba Dru'uwishaatsi.
Thank you Everyone. May You
Farewell.
Maurus Chino is a member of the Acoma tribe in
New Mexico. This talk was delivered as the closing remarks of
the Humanity in Resistance Symposium held in Albuquerque on October
21. He can be reached at: mauruschino@yahoo.com
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