Lakota Indians Declare Independence

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http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVC1KMTOgwiSoMQyT2LwZc9HyAgA

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The Lakota Indians, who gave the world legendary warriors Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from treaties with the United States, leaders said Wednesday.

"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," long-time Indian rights activist Russell Means told a handful of reporters and a delegation from the Bolivian embassy, gathered in a church in a run-down neighborhood of Washington for a news conference.

:griff:
 

Griffith

With the streak of a tear, Like morning dew
Are they going to stop paying sales tax? It doesn't technically matter if you're a "foreigner" or not, but the principle of the thing. =)
 
This is the first time that I ever heard about anyone voluntarily revoking citizenship in the United States. Even Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam, and the Black Panthers kept their citizenship.

If the Lakota want to separate, then let them. This is the boldest move I've seen to sustain one's culture and dignity in the United States.
 

Vampire_Hunter_Bob

Cats are great
Yeah this isn't going to last long. Didn't that same town get taken over back in the 70's where they publicly proclaimed their independence? Didn't that just end up in a shoot out with US Marshals and the National Guard?
 

Griffith

With the streak of a tear, Like morning dew
I don't think it's comparable with those other social movement organizations as were trying assimilate and gain acceptance within society, this... well, I'm sure where their going with this as of yet, it's like trying to gain acceptance of an entire other society within society. Good for them depending on how genuine it is, but there's also the potential of a stunt (I'm cynical of press releases and embassy tours =). That's legitimate too of course to fuel their cause. I'd actually like to know a lot more about this than the article goes into, different legal perspectives, etc.
 
I doubt the plan will work either, but I still praise the move. Even when the plan falls through it will still at least remind the United States that Native Americans still exist and that they are discontent with the system.
 
I don't mean that all Native Americans are discontent just as not all Blacks believe that we have not achieved a racially just system, but a good amount are discontent and we tend to ignore them.
 

Vampire_Hunter_Bob

Cats are great
Peregrine_Falcon said:
I don't mean that all Native Americans are discontent just as not all Blacks believe that we have not achieved a racially just system, but a good amount are discontent and we tend to ignore them.

2019 Edit: Peregine, I was being an asshole. I'm sorry.
 
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Griffith No More! said:
Good for them depending on how genuine it is, but there's also the potential of a stunt (I'm cynical of press releases and embassy tours =).

Yea it would suck if this is just a publicity stunt to get a casino or something... otherwise, good for them

Peregrine_Falcon said:
Can you stop being an asshole when I disagree with you?

...An' CAAAAAAAAAAAN you FEeel... the LOOOOOOOOVE ToNaigheeaaaait?
 

Griffith

With the streak of a tear, Like morning dew
Bob raises a very good point about why we do ignore them though, it's the very American mentality of, if you don't like your lot in life, do something about it and change it. It's why Americans will feel bad for atrocities committed in the past, but not the consequences leftover today, such as the low life expectancy and teen suicide rate in those Native American groups. We don't understand why they don't just assimilate, deep down we think they're lazy, or wallowing in self-pity. Right or wrong, that's the sentiment, and it isn't just an elitist mentality either, though it's obviously very prideful and disdainful of others, but I hear it from immigrants today, just as the ones a hundred years ago recklessly came here to risk everything on the chance of a better life. In many ways, it's a reckless immigrant's mentality for people willing to risk what they have, in many cases the comforts of their country and culture, to embrace change and a better life.

I'd say the same mentality goes into why Americans don't sympathize with the plight of the Middle East or recognize the causes behind terrorism, we say, "You don't like the way things are, you think it's unfair? If you want a better life and country, then why don't you put that energy into your GDP and change it?"
 
I think this is a good thing, I hope it works out.
Also I heard something about the US breaking like 38 treaties before, that might have something to do with this.
 

Aazealh

Administrator
Staff member
Well, no matter what it's bound to failure anyway, so I'm going to say this isn't serious and just aims at bringing attention to their problems.
 

Forest Wraith

Evil is born when we lose power over ourselves.
I feel like a Philistine for it being one of the first things that came to mind but I can't help but be reminded of the episode of Family Guy where Peter succeeded from the US to found Petoria.
 

Aazealh

Administrator
Staff member
Wow, it's pretty big. How do other people living there feel about it? Damn, somehow I have the feeling this won't end well.
 

Okin

The Ultimate Battle Creature
I honestly can't see this accomplishing anything? Aren't they just losing health insurance and rights as citizens? On the cultural and social level, why does being a U.S. citizen prevent you from being a Native American, especially if you live on a reservation.
 
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