Monday, January 21, 2019

Nathan Phillips

A 65-year-old war veteran and tribal elder, Nathan Phillips, was harassed by a group of MAGA hatted, bratty teens from an elite Catholic school in DC over the weekend. The teens participated in a school-sanctioned anti-choice march & the war vet was there as part of an Indigenous People's March commemorating Native American soldiers who lost their lives in Viet Nam. As per Phillips: He noticed that the Catholic school kids began aggressing upon a group of Black Israelites, black Americans who follow the teachings of the Old Testament, calling them names. The other group responded in kind. Phillips decided to stand between the two groups acting, in his words, as a buffer. Students then circled Phillips yelling 'build the wall' and taunting him as he stood chanting and beating on a ceremonial drum. Below is an image from the incident that really freaked me out even though I know that this sort of behavior has historical precedent. Let's be real, the MAGA kid looks like he'd also be perfectly at home burning books. 


Phillips continues chanting as one of the brats, smirking, stands inappropriately close to him. Parents of some of the students have claimed that the tribal elder initially aggressed upon the teens, but, honestly, I don't think that line holds water. I wonder what sort of appropriate action the school will take in response to their charges acting disrespectfully toward Mr. Phillips. My vote would be to expell some of the most egregious particpants. If no action is taken, then I would hope, at least, that the MAGA teen from the photo grows up to regret his idiotic behavior. 

20 comments:

  1. Your label of 'irritated' is mild. We saw this story and I was well nigh ballistic with rage. Starting with these young men being given a day off school to tell women what they can/should do with their bodies. Their assumptions of superiority continued with their attack on another religious group and then on the war veteran and native elder who, dare I say it, has at least as much right to be in America as they do. And has contributed immeasurably more.

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    1. These kids may well grow up to be in positions of power, taking away a woman's right to choose. Absolutely abhorrent.

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  2. Those kids are white supremacists, male supremacists (presuming to have the right to control women's bodies and dictate that they have no choice but to carry pregnancies) and undoubtedly Christian supremacists as well, given that they attend a private Catholic boys school. I am disgusted with their behaviour and hope there are real consequences for it. "Hope" is the operative word here because there probably won't be in today's America.

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    1. Indeed. I don't know much about religion, but I would have thought that mocking a person, especially one so much older, would not be something that God tolerated. Today's America makes me very sad.

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  3. It all sounds terrible. I must say I fail to understand a lot of what goes on in America - a different world.

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    1. It does, indeed. We've certainly not come to terms with our subjugation of the native population of this land. Furthermore, there is no push to learn native languages at a national level and I have yet to hear any politico sprinkle their speeches with a native word or two let alone wear a piece of traditional clothing at a state event. We are very divided yet.

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  4. Just what we need in today's climate. Those brats are safe in the knowledge that they will be forgiven if they ever confess.

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  5. Seeing people act this way is so very very sad....I feel sorry for all of them...the bratty boy will hopefully one day reconsider his actions and be ashamed.

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  6. Those kids might want to consider if they are among an ever increasing number of religious people who identify themselves as Christian but seem to behave and put forth ideas that could be attributed to a false god the Bible warns them to not be seduced by.

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  7. When I visited DC a short time ago, there were rangers all over the National Mall who, by force of will and kind, strong words, kept order. But, they're gone now. We assume parents were there, chaperones. Why weren't they revolted by their children behaving so!

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  8. Did you see the stuff that was coming out about the school? I think they need to shut that place down and send these kiddos to other schools.

    And now they've got the PR people on it. The teen's statement... Did you read it? It sounds so plausible. It's gaslighting in real time.

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    1. How much is tuition? $$$$? Those kids breathe rarified air & no POC on staff, from what I read. Can you imagine being able to afford hiring a PR firm? Gaslighting, indeed!

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  9. Dear Bea, I attended a Catholic grade school, high school, and college and was taught by my mother to respect all people no matter what. The schools taught that, too, and yet so many Catholics today hold onto the abortion issue and move from that to more and more intolerance. The social teaching of the Church were enumerated by Pope Leo back at the end of the 19th century and did much to change the hearts of people and open them up to the working conditions of the poor and the needs of many. And yet somehow so many Catholics have worked away from Leo's mandate to open our hearts and minds to others and to be our "brother's keeper." I am astounded by the fact that this Catholic school sent those young people to protest and that it has taught them that they somehow hold all the truth. Peace.

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    1. I think what also sticks in my craw is how the elder is portrayed as having wielded his drum as if it were a weapon. I understand that very few of us know much about Native culture, but c'mon!

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  10. a friend just shared this on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/vb.341163402640457/318984275405030/?type=2&theater.

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    1. Thank you for sharing this video of Mr. Phillips, Susan.

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