Posted by Champ on February 24, 1999 at 13:14:41:
In Reply to: War Clubs versus ... Nut Crackers???? posted by Rich on February 24, 1999 at 12:07:53:
Rich wrote:
: One of the things I disagreed with Russell Means the most with, of things we talked about in his interview, was something no one has so far mentioned. It has little to do with racism, his prevelant theme. Those comments, at least, I can underestand to a point.
: This is the statement that there was no such thing as "war clubs!" He took it further, stating they were nothing more than "nut crackers." Hmmmm ...
: His assertion baffles me.
: Anybody have thoughts on this issue? One way or the other?
>>Siyo Rich,
like you, I was baffled by Russell Means assertion, and then I laughed out loud at how ridiculous it is. I mean, after all, one of the Native allies of George Washington in 1754 killed French Ensign Coulon de Jumonville with a blow from such a club!
This is, of course, one of but many such historical uses of this "nut cracker" ;-)
I have no idea what Russell Means was thinking when he made that comment. Maybe he's boughten into the "New Age Indian at peace & love & harmony with everything" myth, and was offended by the word "war club"?
I just dont get it...
As you know, I'm a mix-blood member of the Southern Cherokee Nation, I am proud of my Cherokee heritage, creators of their own written language, maintaining our dignity while dying on the "Trail of Tears", [etc, etc] BUT I am also proud of our warrior heritage too [just as I am proud of my Scottish-Irish heritage & my Celtic-warrior heritage as well].
I do not try to sanitize the warrior image, as a matter of fact, I revel in it!
Rich, I dont know where Russell's head is on this one, only he can answer that.
Thanks for doing such a fantastic job on the website!
Wado,
"Champ"