ANOTHER BAND-AID FOR INDIAN COUNTRY

I read an article today stating that the Federal Government added 33 new prosecutors for Indian Country. I do like the extra attention and effort given to crime on the reservation. Although, it would seem to me that adding extra prosecutors is only a way to prosecute at a faster rate, and not to actually prevent crime. I know that purists in the Criminal Justice field believe that you must pay the time if you do the crime, and I do as well because I hate what drugs are doing to some of the best people I have ever met on the reservation, but they also believe that prosecution is a deterrent to criminal activity, which I don't believe is the answer. Typical Government response, add more people. The only outcome I can see is there will be more American Indians from the reservation in jail or prison. Not only do they get to spend more money for the extra people needed to support prosecution, they also get to spend more money to house the added inmates. As my father, Charles Abourezk quoted,"This does nothing to change the social economic climate that exists on the reservation." I would assume the biggest deterrent to crime would be prevention. Lets figure out how to spend money rejuvenating the economic climate. Let's get some Obama hope on the reservations. Lets make it a place where drugs and alcohol don't have a place. Prevent that, and we get to see the violence and despair inherent with drugs and alcohol abuse disappear.

An Indian walking in a white world

My sister asked me a question for a class she is taking for her master's program: "What is it like being you, since you have a very ethnic background?"

"Wow, what an interesting question," I thought. I decided a long explanation was due, but I gave her the Reader's Digest version.

By now, everybody who knows me knows I have a Native American and Lebanese background and I am pretty well rooted in both cultures, which is why she asked me the question.

I told her it was pretty funny being me. I grew up knowing who I am, where my family is from and how proud of that I am.

Now, fast-foward to today. I have since cut my long hair, which is a step off the cultural path from how my mother raised me. So now I look like your typical white male.

This is why it's funny: I don't have to experience racism directly to my face anymore. Do I enjoy being treated equally and given opportunity for my talents, values and work ethic? Absolutely.

Unfortunately, we all know why. This is very sad because I know there are people who still face this battle everyday of their lives. They still get treated unfairly because they have darker skin.

Here's the worse part of this whole thing: I don't get racism and discrimination thrown directly at me. Now, I get to here it from unsuspecting individuals who don't realize where I am from or who I am.

It's a great educational opportunity when it does come up though. It comes up more often than most people might think. That's the silver lining of it all.

I get to be part of this culture and get opportunities that others may not because they are judged before they even have an opportunity to be recognized for their talents. I get to experience success as a reward for my hard work and my family's sacrifice for the long hours I work.

The end result is this should give me more opportunity to assist those who never get that chance to succeed in the business world. It amazes me how much talent there is out in the world that never gets to be recognized because of the imbalances of minorities in positions of impact and authority.

I hope we see more Native Americans with degrees in higher education so they have a better chance to bring an equitable balance to the system.

-- Richard Abourezk

Honorable Mascots

I'm tired of the debate over the use of Indian mascots in major sports. I want to make it simple. Why is there a debate? At what point do we need to defend our right to be offended? Did America forget that we exist as a human race? Shouldn't there be an inherent right to not be disgraced? If a person or a race mentions they're offended, once is enough, isn't it? I bet they wouldn't have to take their case to the Supreme Courts to get people to hear their side of the argument.