Freedmen Descendants Disenfranchised Once Again

As most of you have probably heard by now, Cherokee Nation HUD funds have been frozen over the decision to remove the freedmen descendants from the tribe. The freedmen descendants have also started getting their dis-enrollment letters.

I want people to see this letter because I think it will make it more real to them. I think for some people, it is easier to bury their head in the sand and not really pay attention to this. If we would quit doing things like this, we wouldn't have these issues. Some things, we can't ignore. We have to stop them. I don't care about funding. The Cherokee Nation survived before US funding and they will survive if they lose it all, but I do care about what is right and disenfranchising people is wrong, especially when it is based on the color of one's skin. You would think one minority would not do that to another, but the problem is, most of the Cherokee Nation is not a "minority." They are mostly white. (If you are less than 1/2 Indian blood, then you are mostly something other than Indian racially. Fact, not a racist opinion.) I guess they forget, back when I was born, one had to be 1/2 or more to be a Cherokee. I imagine most of those that voted for this amendment wouldn't like it if the nation voted a 1/2 or a 4/4 BQ in, would they? They would say it wasn't fair and it was based on race rather than a proven connection to the tribe or the Dawes Roll. Well, if we start disenfranchising Cherokees now, what makes anyone think it will ever stop? Who will be next? Will it be those with less than 1/64 Indian blood? Or maybe those with less than 1/16th? Or maybe even those with less than 1/4th? Who knows, but it's something to think about .

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

The Granddaughter

copyright 2011, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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