Greetings to the membership of the Berkshire County Branch. As President, I am forwarding to you an email message that I received from Larry Spotted Crow Mann, our first recipient of our Indigenous Freedom Fund Award in 2022.
As you read Larry’s email, I’m sure you will conclude, as I did, that the store manager’s actions at the BIG Y in Northampton were racist and demand our immediate attention and action!
I urge you to take immediate action by sharing Larry’s email on your social media platforms. You can share the branch’s social media post, found here. This is the first step in showing our solidarity and support for Larry.
Here we are in 2024, and it seems like we have made little to no progress in our understanding of “RIGHTS GRANTED TO ALL HUMANS” – TO VOTE, ASSEMBLE, FREE SPEECH, EDUCATION, HOME OWNERSHIP, FINANCIAL WEALTH, MARRIAGE PARTNERS, GENDER, RELIGION and let’s not forget the WOMEN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE!
What Larry has experienced is a stark reminder of the America we live in, not the America we aspire to.
As we approach November, the situation may worsen. We must stand up for the America we all want and demand. We can start by sharing Larry’s experience.
I will convene with the branch’s executive committee to discuss our next steps, and we will keep you updated. Your continued support is vital in this fight for justice and equality.
I express my sincere gratitude for your support of Larry, which affects many of our marginalized community members!
Peace,
Dennis L. Powell, President
___________________________________________
“It was a warm sunny Thursday( 6/13/24) afternoon in Western Mass. And the Ohketeau Cultural Center was underway in planning for their upcoming annual Youth Talent show at the Center.
This yearly event takes place to highlight Indigenous youth excellence in academia , creative arts, music and culture.
It’s a way to celebrate and uplift Indigenous Youth which, is highly needed in such marginalized communities as Native Peoples. At the conclusion of the event, each Youth will be celebrated, given an award, and gift bag.
The gift bag will have several items, such as a water bottle, sweat pants, T shirt, Notebook and other goodies.
Also included will be a $200.00 gift card for each youth to help support them and thier creative and academic endeavors.
The task of picking up those gift cards for the youth ‘swag bags’ went to award winning writer, Founder and Co director of the Ohketeau Cultural Center, Larry Spotted Crow Mann. He is also an enrolled citizen of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe.
This is the same Larry Spotted Crow Mann spotlighted in Masslive.com as one of the Top Indigenous Leaders of 2023.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/11/masslive-celebrates-indigenous-leaders-in-mass-larry-spotted-crow-mann.html
The task of picking up the gift cards was a reward in itself said Mann. ” It’s really a joy to be able to support our youth in this way.”
Unfortunately this heartfelt endeavor turned into another example of the systemic issues our nation continues to grapple with. Mann states, “I went to the counter with the gift cards at the Big Y Northampton store. The young employee at the desk asked for ID and credit card ID. I showed him both. He was very professional, polite and affable. After examining my IDs he said thanks and proceeded. He was in the process of scanning the cards when a manager walked up and said to me , “what are you buying these gift cards for?” I had never been asked what my purchase was for, but I told him nonetheless: The youth talent show. He then asked for my ID. I showed him. He then said, ” I don’t feel comfortable serving you.” I was shocked. I told him I’m a business owner. I told him about Ohketeau. I even showed him my website and books to prove it was me. We went back and forth for about 20 minutes as a long line built up behind me. This was extremely embarrassing, humiliating and hurtful. This manager persisted in saying, ” I don’t feel comfortable selling these to you.” So I left the store in dismay.”
The harsh reality of traversing this country called America in a Black or Brown skin is always ever-present with brutal clarity.
The ability to move about freely, take part in commerce , or converse in public spaces without fear of judgment or reprisial is not a reality we live in.
To be able to exert power over individuals by a denial of service based on skin color, or other factors that do not reflect policies or law is still happening.
Consider the extra amount of energy, resources and emotional stress that goes into navigating the gauntlet of racism and hegominic notions that considers anything non white the “other.” And therefore should be watched closely at all times.
Despite following the protocol that Big Y Northampton put in place itself, they can still stridently say, “I don’t feel comfortable serving you.”
