The more i learn about the situation facing Somali people, the more i feel the urgency of supporting the unheard voices. In the US, it is often easier for marginalized, poverty stricken young men to get guns than it is to obtain a decent education, relevant resources or even food. I do believe that guns are manufactured and made easily available to the most marginalized as a lethal form of modern, slow motion genocide. The corporate rape and pillagers get to sit back and watch while those struggling turn on each other. We can no longer cooperate with this convoluted form of divide and conquer. We must communicate with each other and enact global solution to the take over by greedy killing dominators. Hear the Grandmothers, Mothers, Children and Men of wisdom. Let us each live as if we can make a better world. May Peace and Justice Prevail.
Hear the voices of the Somali youth!!!!
In peaceful struggle,
swaneagle harijan
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Many Somali youth are choosing to use guns in order to commit violence. That is not "peaceful."
Some of them have become oppressors by CHOICE. Let us not make excuses for some of them choosing to act on their impulses. For me I have NOTHING in common with someone who arms themselves and ends up hurting INNOCENT people. Some of them have harmed INNOCENT people so no... I disagree. I have NOTHING in common with some Somali youth. Their struggle is significantly different where they choose to arm themselves in order to HURT INNOCENT and often UNARMED PEOPLE. That is NOT peaceful.
I am deeply devoted to nonviolence, thus i seek the whole story as i witness where i live underage girls being pimped by middle aged men, kids doing hard drugs, killing themselves, forming gangs and on and on and on..... From 800 to 1000 girls between 12 and 18 are sex slaves in Seattle. Tell me that is not urgent.....
On a global scale the children are in serious crisis. I seek solution, which is impossible if only the US militarized side is dominating. I have spent so much time working with Native Americans, Immigrants, Homeless, and many other marginalized peoples that i have learned the importance of educating myself as much as possible about the diversity of issues impacting targeted, yet often voiceless people.
I spent most of my life living in eastern Washington where white supremacy is a major problem. I went to militia meetings as a "hippie committed to nonviolence". I figured it would be harder to kill me as the mother of mixed race children if i talked to them. It was the first time in my life that i heard first hand the spewings of bigots who believe killing Jews, racemixers and homosexuals is the solution. I gathered their literature and did all i could to educate them about the corporate agenda involved in pitting people against each other. I believe we are witness to modern genocide which removes the oppressor completely from the scene and manipulates oppressed, poverty stricken peoples into killing their own. From Mexico to Haiti to Congo to Indonesia, this is happening.
In my research about the Somali pirates, i found that a few days ago, 2 pirates and 1 hostage were killed by the French. It does not say WHO killed the hostage. Poorly done articles.
What i find striking about what i have read about the pirates and hostages is that killing of the hostages does not seem to be what happens. In fact, until the US killed those 3 teen pirates, there do not seem to be any killing at all of hostages. If anyone knows more, please tell me.
My nephew is in Somalia now working with the Navy as a SeaBee. I write to him when i can trying to give him a broader view in my own limited way.
For nearly 5 years now, I have been studying gangs, child soldiers, death squad training by the US and other such nurturing of death squad mentality that is overwhelmingly carried out by the US military. Since WWII, the US been consistently training thousands upon thousands of death squads at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, GA. (see School of the Americas Watch). Note that the US military, the largest such force ever known to humans, makes a point to target poor youth and poor youth of color who are still teenagers in it's recruitment efforts as youth are much more malleable.
I heard a recovered child solider speak on the radio last year. It was heart breaking. He said many families will not accept their children back due to the heinous nature of their crimes. Many children do not have the opportunity to go to healing centers, thus they return to killing as that is all they know. I found his book and read it."A Long Way Gone" Ishmael Beah. Have you seen "Blood Diamond"? What is done to brainwash child soldiers is similar to what is done to train US Marine Special Forces troops who carried out atrocity after atrocity in Vietnam then spread their killing skills to Guatemala (google "kaibiles"), El Salvador, Haiti, etc. forming death squads to kill Indigenous, peasants and many others who simply wish to live simply on the land.
There is an excellent book called "Gangs of the World" which illustrates the massive migration of land based peoples into slums, some of which are 7 million or more in number. These teeming centers of human misery are a direct result of corporate globalization. From such urban centers of desperation are recruited child soldiers, gangs, gun and drug runners and human trafficking. We all will face a version of this if those of us who know and have the privilege, fail to act. Thus i call to people of privilege to learn and take a stand for our brothers and sisters being exploited on an unprecedented scale. We must see the scope of what is being done in the name of profit. While corporations back the variety of militias, death squads, child soldiers, gangs etc, in the Congo, the people, overwhelmingly women and children, pay the ultimate price.
In Iraq, of the over one million people killed by the US military, 85% are women and children. So no, i have absolutely zero respect for the US military and a corporate backed government that places more importance on keeping corrupt bankers ripping the citizens off than assuring children of a decent education as well as basic food, clothing and shelter. Kids have no hope and consequently they turn to dangerous occupations to feel important and powerful. It will not stop with Somalia. It is happening as i write in King County among the poorest of the poor who have no hope.
Better stop. I already had to redo what i wrote first and completely lost touching one key by accident. I am doing all i can to bring hope to the future. The children are so highly endangered and i fight daily to keep my teenage daughter safe in a jaded and hostile world. It is nerve wracking and i wonder what will become of us all. I stive to be part of cross cultural unity. I am willing to lay my life on the line for the sake of a healthy children's furture now that my youngest is almost 17 and my older kids are committed to her. What else makes sense?
In peaceful struggle,
swaneagle
Namaka'eha > swaneagle harijanApril 20, 2009 at 12:40pm
I remind myself daily, all the things I do is for them, my daughters. As I look beyond the perimeters, it is for our kupuna who signed the Ku'e Petition. Many kanaka maoli died with voices hear and unheard! Let is all make this a better world and a safer place to live!
Kainalu A'ole Pau,
E kala mai but I disagree. We are in a common struggle with a common oppressor and there is strength in unity. We should not be exclusive of others as they can be our friends. It is to our benefit to communicate with other indigenous peoples of the world who are being assaulted by the US military. I appreciate knowing the real story than the fabricated ones played out on our propagandized press. Mahalo for putting this on Maoli World swaneagle harijan. Aloha mai kaua.
In my many years of studying what is done to Indigenous peoples due to colonialism and now "free trade", i see a template where the young men are corrupted with guns, money and drugs often doing the divide and conquer killing of their own families and relatives such as the child soldiers in Sierra Leone and the Congo or the youth kidnapped and forced to be death squads in EL Salvador and Guatemala during the 80's and 90's or the gangs in the inner cities of the US and Mexico who find it much easier to obtain guns and drugs than Meaningful work, relevant education and resources. What people have to offer from the very roots of their original cultures and spiritual belief systems is a major threat to the oppressor/greed mentality.
The next thing is the hatred of women/mothers that lays groundwork for rape and femicide which demoralizes entire societies, such as is happening with rapes and mutilation of 40,000 women or more each year in the Congo, then genocide is a no brainer after that. It is my theory or assertion that Free Trade Equals Ecocide, Femicide and Genocide.
I believe we must be connecting with those who feel the urgency of standing full tilt for authentic peace and justice. As a Irish/French Hippie, i strive to be connected to my own Irish roots. My mother is full blooded Irish yet has little knowledge of much besides Catholicism which to me is a major tool of genocide. I am committed to lay my life on the line for the coming generations wherever the spirit directs me. I do all i can to educate myself and espcially privileged activists in the US who MIGHT get it and be willing to take unprecedented stands to end the killing of the earth and her peoples.
Thanks for the good vibes.
Peace, swaneagle
Ululani > swaneagle harijanApril 18, 2009 at 4:41pm
i see a template where the young men are corrupted with guns, money and drugs often doing the divide and conquer killing of their own families and relatives such as the child soldiers in Sierra Leone and the Congo or the youth kidnapped and forced to be death squads in EL Salvador and Guatemala during the 80's and 90's or the gangs in the inner cities of the US and Mexico who find it much easier to obtain guns and drugs than Meaningful work, relevant education and resources.
Excuse me but some of them CHOOSE to arm themselves in order to commit violence thus become oppressors themselves. There is NO excuse for that and I do NOT condone or support violence against INNOCENT people. Some of their youth are doing that by CHOICE.
Whether Somali or Irish or Scottish or Hawaiian... all of us have struggled or are still struggling in some way. However it seems as though you are excusing their choice to arm themselves in order to commit violence against innocent people. Sorry but there is NO excuse for that. In fact they have become oppressors themselves. Not cool!
I believe we must be connecting with those who feel the urgency of standing full tilt for authentic peace and justice.
Some of these youth have committed HEINOUS acts on their OWN volition. I have absolutely NO connection and have NOTHING in common with people who perpetuate crimes against HUMANITY. I advocate RESPONSIBLE AND LAWFUL GUN OWNERSHIP AND USE. I am in NO WAY connected to these types of people who use guns to HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE but if you want to feel connected to VIOLENT people who were oppressed and are now oppressing others with VIOLENCE then sorry but knock yourself out!
Specifically with Hawaiians though... we have struggled and are struggling in some way. However we do NOT arm ourselves collectively in order to harm INNOCENT PEOPLE like how some Somali youth have. Comparing or even trying to include Somali youth who are VIOLENT... well there is NO comparison. I feel NO compassion whatsoever for those Somali youth who arm themselves on their OWN volition and CHOOSE to HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE for money. We ALL make choices. They have made theirs. Thus they must realize the consequences for their CHOICES.
It is the unsung heros that strive to make our world a better place to live. Irregardless, your work and commitment will carry forth. There is great work ahead and many more to come. I stated to a friend the other night, I was unsure of my kuleana and now I know. It is the work that is laid in front of us that calls! I'm happy to join in others of our struggles, defeats, and accomplishments so our world can be a better place to live!
I so appreciate finding this site and such amazing people. It always is encouraging to know others who resist the invader mentality. I am involved in trying to prevent the largest sand and gravel mind of it's kind in the world out here. Seems like Glacier Northwest is the Peabody Coal company of Vashon. I am doing what i can to find the Indigenous people whose fishing rights are connected to the creek in the mining area. It is one of the only places left in the Puget Sound where the Chinook Salmon return. It also is where orcas give birth.
Namaka'eha > swaneagle harijanApril 17, 2009 at 10:02pm
Your work will be endless like ours in Hawaii Nei. We all must persist and not let defeat get us down! I wonder if the island you live on is where my mother and daughter visited over a decade ago. My uncle who passed on mentioned that certain things were allowed and other prohibited. He also mentioned if they chase you on the water, you will be caught unless your boat can out beat the water police. Do you have this in your area? One day, I'll travel that way. I have a cousin that lives in Tacoma, WA.
So much can be done to end poverty among marginalized people, yet the people who supply these weapons have divided and killed so many innocent children. HAWAII HEARS YOUR CRIES AND FEEL YOUR PAINS. In Hawaii, we, kanaka maoli are victimized daily by the dominant culture! Yes, in a peaceful struggle as our Queen has stated...
Let us share and embrace our differences regardless of where we came from. We all share similar mana'o and often want to be heard. We shre similar struggles and yet unheard. Let each live and make the world a better place!
Replies
In peaceful struggle,
Many Somali youth are choosing to use guns in order to commit violence. That is not "peaceful."
Some of them have become oppressors by CHOICE. Let us not make excuses for some of them choosing to act on their impulses. For me I have NOTHING in common with someone who arms themselves and ends up hurting INNOCENT people. Some of them have harmed INNOCENT people so no... I disagree. I have NOTHING in common with some Somali youth. Their struggle is significantly different where they choose to arm themselves in order to HURT INNOCENT and often UNARMED PEOPLE. That is NOT peaceful.
I am deeply devoted to nonviolence, thus i seek the whole story as i witness where i live underage girls being pimped by middle aged men, kids doing hard drugs, killing themselves, forming gangs and on and on and on..... From 800 to 1000 girls between 12 and 18 are sex slaves in Seattle. Tell me that is not urgent.....
On a global scale the children are in serious crisis. I seek solution, which is impossible if only the US militarized side is dominating. I have spent so much time working with Native Americans, Immigrants, Homeless, and many other marginalized peoples that i have learned the importance of educating myself as much as possible about the diversity of issues impacting targeted, yet often voiceless people.
I spent most of my life living in eastern Washington where white supremacy is a major problem. I went to militia meetings as a "hippie committed to nonviolence". I figured it would be harder to kill me as the mother of mixed race children if i talked to them. It was the first time in my life that i heard first hand the spewings of bigots who believe killing Jews, racemixers and homosexuals is the solution. I gathered their literature and did all i could to educate them about the corporate agenda involved in pitting people against each other. I believe we are witness to modern genocide which removes the oppressor completely from the scene and manipulates oppressed, poverty stricken peoples into killing their own. From Mexico to Haiti to Congo to Indonesia, this is happening.
In my research about the Somali pirates, i found that a few days ago, 2 pirates and 1 hostage were killed by the French. It does not say WHO killed the hostage. Poorly done articles.
What i find striking about what i have read about the pirates and hostages is that killing of the hostages does not seem to be what happens. In fact, until the US killed those 3 teen pirates, there do not seem to be any killing at all of hostages. If anyone knows more, please tell me.
My nephew is in Somalia now working with the Navy as a SeaBee. I write to him when i can trying to give him a broader view in my own limited way.
For nearly 5 years now, I have been studying gangs, child soldiers, death squad training by the US and other such nurturing of death squad mentality that is overwhelmingly carried out by the US military. Since WWII, the US been consistently training thousands upon thousands of death squads at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, GA. (see School of the Americas Watch). Note that the US military, the largest such force ever known to humans, makes a point to target poor youth and poor youth of color who are still teenagers in it's recruitment efforts as youth are much more malleable.
I heard a recovered child solider speak on the radio last year. It was heart breaking. He said many families will not accept their children back due to the heinous nature of their crimes. Many children do not have the opportunity to go to healing centers, thus they return to killing as that is all they know. I found his book and read it."A Long Way Gone" Ishmael Beah. Have you seen "Blood Diamond"? What is done to brainwash child soldiers is similar to what is done to train US Marine Special Forces troops who carried out atrocity after atrocity in Vietnam then spread their killing skills to Guatemala (google "kaibiles"), El Salvador, Haiti, etc. forming death squads to kill Indigenous, peasants and many others who simply wish to live simply on the land.
There is an excellent book called "Gangs of the World" which illustrates the massive migration of land based peoples into slums, some of which are 7 million or more in number. These teeming centers of human misery are a direct result of corporate globalization. From such urban centers of desperation are recruited child soldiers, gangs, gun and drug runners and human trafficking. We all will face a version of this if those of us who know and have the privilege, fail to act. Thus i call to people of privilege to learn and take a stand for our brothers and sisters being exploited on an unprecedented scale. We must see the scope of what is being done in the name of profit. While corporations back the variety of militias, death squads, child soldiers, gangs etc, in the Congo, the people, overwhelmingly women and children, pay the ultimate price.
In Iraq, of the over one million people killed by the US military, 85% are women and children. So no, i have absolutely zero respect for the US military and a corporate backed government that places more importance on keeping corrupt bankers ripping the citizens off than assuring children of a decent education as well as basic food, clothing and shelter. Kids have no hope and consequently they turn to dangerous occupations to feel important and powerful. It will not stop with Somalia. It is happening as i write in King County among the poorest of the poor who have no hope.
Better stop. I already had to redo what i wrote first and completely lost touching one key by accident. I am doing all i can to bring hope to the future. The children are so highly endangered and i fight daily to keep my teenage daughter safe in a jaded and hostile world. It is nerve wracking and i wonder what will become of us all. I stive to be part of cross cultural unity. I am willing to lay my life on the line for the sake of a healthy children's furture now that my youngest is almost 17 and my older kids are committed to her. What else makes sense?
In peaceful struggle,
swaneagle
E kala mai but I disagree. We are in a common struggle with a common oppressor and there is strength in unity. We should not be exclusive of others as they can be our friends. It is to our benefit to communicate with other indigenous peoples of the world who are being assaulted by the US military. I appreciate knowing the real story than the fabricated ones played out on our propagandized press. Mahalo for putting this on Maoli World swaneagle harijan. Aloha mai kaua.
The next thing is the hatred of women/mothers that lays groundwork for rape and femicide which demoralizes entire societies, such as is happening with rapes and mutilation of 40,000 women or more each year in the Congo, then genocide is a no brainer after that. It is my theory or assertion that Free Trade Equals Ecocide, Femicide and Genocide.
I believe we must be connecting with those who feel the urgency of standing full tilt for authentic peace and justice. As a Irish/French Hippie, i strive to be connected to my own Irish roots. My mother is full blooded Irish yet has little knowledge of much besides Catholicism which to me is a major tool of genocide. I am committed to lay my life on the line for the coming generations wherever the spirit directs me. I do all i can to educate myself and espcially privileged activists in the US who MIGHT get it and be willing to take unprecedented stands to end the killing of the earth and her peoples.
Thanks for the good vibes.
Peace, swaneagle
Excuse me but some of them CHOOSE to arm themselves in order to commit violence thus become oppressors themselves. There is NO excuse for that and I do NOT condone or support violence against INNOCENT people. Some of their youth are doing that by CHOICE.
Whether Somali or Irish or Scottish or Hawaiian... all of us have struggled or are still struggling in some way. However it seems as though you are excusing their choice to arm themselves in order to commit violence against innocent people. Sorry but there is NO excuse for that. In fact they have become oppressors themselves. Not cool!
I believe we must be connecting with those who feel the urgency of standing full tilt for authentic peace and justice.
Some of these youth have committed HEINOUS acts on their OWN volition. I have absolutely NO connection and have NOTHING in common with people who perpetuate crimes against HUMANITY. I advocate RESPONSIBLE AND LAWFUL GUN OWNERSHIP AND USE. I am in NO WAY connected to these types of people who use guns to HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE but if you want to feel connected to VIOLENT people who were oppressed and are now oppressing others with VIOLENCE then sorry but knock yourself out!
Specifically with Hawaiians though... we have struggled and are struggling in some way. However we do NOT arm ourselves collectively in order to harm INNOCENT PEOPLE like how some Somali youth have. Comparing or even trying to include Somali youth who are VIOLENT... well there is NO comparison. I feel NO compassion whatsoever for those Somali youth who arm themselves on their OWN volition and CHOOSE to HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE for money. We ALL make choices. They have made theirs. Thus they must realize the consequences for their CHOICES.
Let us share and embrace our differences regardless of where we came from. We all share similar mana'o and often want to be heard. We shre similar struggles and yet unheard. Let each live and make the world a better place!
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