Navajo Hopi Observer, Commentary, Wells Mahkee, Jr., Posted: Feb 03, 2010
With all the recent tragedies the world has encountered in recent years, it's been quite surprising to me that not one person - not even in Indian Country - has mentioned what I happen to believe is happening on our poor planet Earth; our poor, neglected, abused shell of a "mother" who apparently has had quite enough of what her "children" have been doing to her and is now striking back with force. How else would you explain the recent surge in natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and the like?
Instead of taking a few steps back and looking at the big picture, our arrogance and complacency pretty much dictates that we blame one another. Ironically, it's this non-stop "blame-game" that I believe will ultimately lead to our societal demise.
Centuries ago, when humankind still respected the supernatural, we humbly gave ourselves to whims of the unknown. Periodic rumblings and eruptions on earth, as well as celestial phenomena in the skies above governed our overall well-being and were explained to us by our elders as powers beyond our comprehension that should be respected for what they were, even if they weren't understood. It was a time of great cultural and moral prosperity. Today, that respect for our religion and well-being is gone, replaced by insurmountable greed, corruption, focus on self and a need for dominance.
Gone are the days when the word of tribal elders was law, regardless of whether we agreed with it or not. Today, we squabble over who has power and struggle to interpret laws and constitutions that seemingly do more harm than good and only serve those who are in power and control. Today, those in power positions across the globe continue to take advantage of those who are already demoralized by their place in society and attempt to demonize them even further. At times, those who are demoralized strike back in violent ways.
Is the world we live in now the same world that was imagined by our forefathers eons ago? I don't believe so. Our Earth Mother is very, very old, but she is also very, very wise. She exists in her own realm, which was here long before we were - her progeny of many diverse colors, ethnicities, languages and cultures. Much like our parents before us, our Earth Mother gave us a purpose in life, and now that purpose has been forgotten, so much like the proverbial mother, she is - for now - gently reminding us of who is in charge.
When are we going to heed her warnings? Or will it take another natural disaster?
