Wrote This Before They Finally Realized
Christopher Colombus- Celebrating Genocide
You stepped foot on the birth canal of my ancestors,
pure, sacred, loved.
you smiled.. proceeded with greed.
your civilization like disease.
my people soon were infected
your protest to "civilize" a free nation took flight on the wings of a lie.
you told us were sent by a god.
this god, we wondered, why did he send you to destroy us?
haven't you said he was holy?
haven't you said he was your creator like tunkasila was ours?
yet you take his name and use it for power.
you believe in your great father and all that he says is right,
does he teach you genocide? massacre?
your attempt to destroy a humble people's heart failed.
although you have spilled the blood of my ancestors and forced your beliefs in front of ours
my blood flows far.
i have descended from struggles and will persevere through the desolate world you have created.
while americans celebrate your name,
i believe it is an injustice.
for they too, live in lies.
Not i. Not i who was beaten, belittled, threatened, torn, cursed, stolen.
Oh no, not i.
I stand in the land of my people as Oglala Lakota, proud, humble and heavy hearted.
for the day has yet to come where our home,
mother earth, will be reconnected with the many souls that harvested it,
loved it and praised it in thankfulness and with all honesty.
Christopher Columbus,
on the day your name is celebrated for taking our home,
i hang my head,
in my many days...
your day has never been and will never be,
a good day to die.
-Isabelle Brave Heart, Oglala Lakota
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