Hello all. I have been enjoying the discussion on this message board. I was raised as a African American with the appendix "we have Indian ancestral connections too". Based on what relatives (deceased and living) say my Indian ancestors may be Seminole Cherokee Lumbee and/or Occaneechi/Saponi.

Like so many of you I am troubled by the July 2000 Seminole vote which to the best of my interpretation is an effort to further lock out Black Seminole's from the S. Nation. I must and do see this vote as further evidence that people of good conscious and firm understanding of our histories must increase our efforts to band together support one another in who and what we know ourselves to be. I see it also as another WAKE UP CALL to unite with other peoples no matter what race who are truly prepared to look beyond blood quantum and to see from the heart (which is I believe beyond racial limitations.) I teach a college course online at the New School for Social Research on Race and Sex in American Life where we discuss such issues and time and time again I see that 1) yes we must know honor love and respect our race and ancestors and 2) we must remember that in the end it's really all about Spirit (a non-racial identity). For the Seminoles who voted the Freedmen out I am sorry to say that they will have to answer to their descendents their own conscious' and to history for their actions. I do not wish to be in their shoes!

[5 aug 2000]