I love native Americans, their customs, their civilization, their relation with nature. I discovered someone who went far beyond me. Morrocan born poet S. oRock. In his short poem that follows he makes a very strong point about native Americans. I am told that most probably within year 2014 his Selected Poems will go to press. Here is the one I just mentioned. WHAT ABOUT TRUE AMERICANS? a tribute to Marlon Brando All true Americans should wear a feather somewhere on their heads and it doesn’t matter whose bird the feather came from; neither it matters if it were a “fallen feather”, a “plucked-live feather”, or a dead bird’s feather, as long as it is clearly a feather of some considerable size. New born true Americans should wear a feather too: it goes by itself that it should come from smaller birds, starting with the humming bird’s feathers. As the youngsters of exclusively true Americans inevitably grow up, their feather should promptly be changed on each birthday, until they reach maturity on their eighteenth year - that’s the only way to be sure those babies are true American babies. When real feathers are out of the question - as one might not tolerate a real feather mentally, ecologically or even allergically - a virtual feather (don’t call it fake) would equally do: a tattooed feather would require a permanently bald head, a trompe-l’oeil feather should be embroidered on a hat - but then that hat must be permanently worn - or even a plastic feather, noticing the abundance of plastic enthusiasts. The question spontaneously asked is, who on earth is a true American? He who thinks he is ‘cause that’s what all have been telling him? No, sir! He who firmly believes he is and fights to remain such? No, sir! He who came from Europe and managed to forget his past? No, sir! He who was brought in chains from Africa and forgot all about it? No, sir! He who believes Native Americans are a darn nuisance and wants to see them confined to their reserves for ever then throw the key away, where it will never be found? No, sir, of course not! The one and only exception is Marlon Brando! He is the one and only true American besides the few Native Americans that survived the systematic massacres ascribed to the known and well publicized racial frenzy; the frenzy which granted America to the so called Americans (the stars and stripes “Oh say can you see” ones). Brando might not wear a feather if he doesn’t want to. But when he feels like he is more than welcome. All Native American know why! Santa Fe, N.M., 22 February 1993
Posted on: Thu, 06 Feb 2014 23:09:29 +0000
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