Re: Eric Schweig & Russell Means

Posted by Carin on January 29, 1998 at 01:48:00:

In Reply to: Re: Eric Schweig & Russell Means posted by Bill R on January 28, 1998 at 20:37:26:

: : Carin

: WE admire whom we choose. I prefer Martin Luther King's approach to that of Malcolm X. And I prefer Eric Schweig's to Russel Means. I never really thought an "in your face" approach engendered any understanding between people but more likely put them on the defensive and engendered hostility in return.

: Bill R

Bill, to clarify and respond. Interesting that you choose MLK over Malcolm X. I would consider them both to be "in your face" activists within the civil rights movement. The significant difference being non-violence vs. violence in their respective approaches to meeting their goals. If you got the impression that my "in your face" reference was specific to violent political activity then you misunderstood and my apologies for not being clear. While I'm no supporter of violence to make a point, I can still recognize that a point was trying to be conveyed. And given the history of indiginous peoples I doubt they could suffer much more hostility than they have already so perhaps violence is a last line of defense. And you know what they say makes the
best defense. I do know that when I come across those activists who work tirelessly to inform, educate and alter the thinking of ignorant people through "in your face" or confrontational methods (not violent) I personally am not defensive or hostile, but rather embarrassed that the necessity exists and that there are those who would wish to "kill the message and the messenger". Subtlety doesn't always engender enlightenment unfortunately. I know that Mr. Means does not present a perfectly packaged political activist. However his life experience, as in the case of Malcolm X, entitles him to life choices and a perspective that I don't feel entitled to pass judgement on. Also considering that Eric was knee high with a load in his diapers (no offense Eric) when Mr. Means was directly involved with the creation and development of the American Indian Movement (of which Eric is a supporter I understand) certainly puts him far ahead of Eric in political activism, no matter what your preference. Eric would do well by us all if he were to catch up with Mr. Means.
Phew! My opinion respectfully submitted,
Carin

Follow Ups:

• Re: Eric Schweig & Russell Means Bill R 09:31:31 1/29/98 (1)
  • Re: Eric Schweig & Russell Means Carin Lyons 16:33:07 1/29/98 (0)

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: : : Carin

: : WE admire whom we choose.  I prefer Martin Luther King's approach to that of Malcolm X.  And I prefer Eric Schweig's to Russel Means.  I never really thought an "in your face" approach engendered any understanding between people but more likely put them on the defensive and engendered hostility in return.  

: : Bill R

: Bill, to clarify and respond.  Interesting that you choose MLK over Malcolm X.  I would consider them both to be "in your face" activists within the civil rights movement.  The significant difference being non-violence vs. violence in their respective approaches to meeting their goals.  If you got the impression that my "in your face" reference was specific to violent political activity then you misunderstood and my apologies for not being clear.  While I'm no supporter of violence to make a point, I can still recognize that a point was trying to be conveyed.  And given the history of indiginous peoples I doubt they could suffer much more hostility than they have already so perhaps violence is a last line of defense.   And you know what they say makes the 
: best defense.  I do know that when I come across those activists who work tirelessly to inform, educate and alter the thinking of ignorant people through "in your face" or confrontational methods (not violent) I personally am not defensive or hostile, but rather embarrassed that the necessity exists and that there are those who would wish to "kill the message and the messenger". Subtlety doesn't always engender enlightenment unfortunately.   I know that Mr. Means does not present a perfectly packaged political activist.  However his life experience, as in the case of Malcolm X, entitles him to life choices and a perspective that I don't feel entitled to pass judgement on.  Also considering that Eric was knee high with a load in his diapers (no offense Eric)  when Mr. Means was directly involved with the creation and development of the American Indian Movement (of which Eric is a supporter I understand) certainly puts him far ahead of Eric in political activism, no matter what your preference.  Eric would do well by us all if he were to catch up with Mr. Means.
: Phew! My opinion respectfully submitted,
: Carin


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