I met a Mohawk Indian named Indian Larry. I actually met him outside a gas station by
where I live in Johnstown, NY. When I walked
up to him I asked him his tribe and I told him about our class. He was very interested and answered a lot of
my questions. He was very
informative. We spoke about the Indian
Museum in Fonda, NY. He wanted to take
me and my fiancé there so we exchanged numbers.
He was proud of who he was. He
wore a head piece with a feather but was dressed in regular clothing. I asked why and he told me he needed to fit
into society somehow. I asked him about
racial slurs and if he gets racism thrown at him and he said more than he
wanted. He told me about kids throwing
items at him. He told me about the
language that is said and the secret whispers he gets on a daily basis. Bu he was more than proud. He said that he didn’t care at one point in
time he did and he really did feel like an outcast but he see’s in today’s day
an age its not just him that is getting the racial slurs and violence. He hopes that people educate themselves
because its just not about the first thanksgiving and Christopher Columbus it’s
more than that. I tried not to take up a
lot of his time but I cannot wait for the guided tour by him at the museum in
Fonda, NY
That is awesome! I live in Fort Plain but I have never visited the Indian Museum. I actually have been to the Kateri Shrine and hiked through the woods where there is a spot to pray and reflect. However, that was a very long time ago when I was just a kid. That's sad that he still has to face that here in upstate NY. Sometimes I feel like Fulton-Montgomery County is going backwards in time. They used to be great counties but not so much anymore. But for kids to throw things at him is just a direct reflection on their parents and how they are raised. I am sure that their parents are racist and although may not directly encourage the behavior they are guiding it. But I am glad that he is truly proud of his culture and heritage despite what he has to deal with in today's society. Well I hope that you enjoy your tour at the museum!
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