(no subject)

[home_and_away]

Text of a note sent home by my son's teacher:

"Dear Parents,

Please talk with your child about how Indian names were different from his/her name. Indian children had names that told something about them. Some examples: Little Pale Moon, Running Bear, Little Cloud, Three Stars. (Of course, their names were said in Indian words and didn't sound like the English names do.)

Your child has something special about himself that could be used to create an Indian picture name that would identify him/her. Help your child think up a picture name that suits him/her--making sure that your child can draw the picture name. Thanks!"

...
Right.
1) We're not even going to start with the "pretend to be an Indian for Thanksgiving so you too can welcome the Pilgrims" thing. The second it looks like this indoctrination is actually sticking, we're pulling out the smallpox blanket stories and the Why They Left England In The First Place stories.

2) We will, however, spare a moment for the "There's no difference between the Algonquin tribes who had to deal with the first influx of invaders and the Plains tribes we'll dress the kids up as" bullshit. Honest to God. It makes me want to fit a kid out in Austrian tracht for St. Patrick's Day, because Whitefolk Are All The Same, Too, Right? It burns...

3) I'd much rather give him an "original Pilgrim picture name"; at least then the only culture I'm poking in the eye is one I share 97% blood with. That and "Vengeance-Is-Mine-Sayeth-The-LORD Stevenson" just has a ring to it.

Gah....

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/raist_/]

Not to mention the use of the word "Indians..."

Although personally I'm fond of "Dies from Smallpox due to Christian Invaders Who Steal Land that Belongs to Noone" or "He Who Mourns the Lost Wives and Children Taken from Nature to Learn of the White Man Who Died on Two Sticks"

[belenen.livejournal.com]

omfg, most of this post had me nodding along in annoyance, and then that last sentence made me laugh for a solid minute! haha!

[earlofgrey.livejournal.com]

You have a child! Good job. How old is he?

[ladywind.livejournal.com]

:D I have, a tenacious fellow of nearly 6 years.

[earlofgrey.livejournal.com]

Oh, goodness. My niece Allyson is six, too. And there's also Naomi, a wee little one who is only four months old. Kids are good.

[ladywind.livejournal.com]

~warm smile~ They can be, I agree. I worry sometimes what sort of joke the Divine was pulling, putting me in charge of one, and on whom the joke was supposed to be. But so far, mine only seems warped in enjoyable ways; maybe we'll survive the experience.

And now I sit with bright eyes and hope for niece stories? Are they sisters, Allyson & Naomi?

[earlofgrey.livejournal.com]

They are! And their mum is getting married to Naomi's father on Sunday! I get to be the person of honour.

Allyson is exceptionally fond of: Batman, princesses, mermaids, pirates, ballerinas, playing video games, and faeries. Her favourite colour is pink with skulls. She was born talking and hasn't stopped since. Naomi likes people. She's a grumpy little thing, but is pleased as can be at a party.