Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday January 21, 2009

Tuesday January 20, will live in minds and hearts for generations to come. I admit that I was moved during the ceremonies in Washington on Tuesday. In my lifetime I have witnessed the rise of Blacks to full citizenship in The United States. As a young man barely old enough to legally drive big rigs, I trained others to drive.

One Sunday night I went to the terminal to get the truck and my partner and was told he had quit, but would I consider taking a black man with me for training? This was forty six years ago and we often ran our sleeper teams through Virginia and points South. I agreed and the driving and teaching part went fine and the Brother picked up the nuances swiftly. Those few weeks had some moments as this was during the civil rights marches and other actions. I am glad I had a part in helping this man rise above poverty and send his kids to college as a Teamster. He passed a few years ago, but his life was lived with honor. And now, a Black Man serves as our president. Agree with him or not, we are bearing witness to a miracle. Yesterday, in my lifetime it was a miracle for a black man in many parts of our country to get a good job. Today? Well read the paper. There are now no legitimate ceilings.

Of course I see enormous humor in the events of the last few months, some of it due to my Native America/German heritage.

My sister wanted to know if I thought an Indian would ever be in the White House and I assured her that I have been there several times. She started to slap me, but dropped her cane. I then told her of Charles Curtis, the first Native American to serve as Vice President. Mr. Curtis served from 1929 to 1933 during the Hoover Administration. I guess some kind of poetic justice was at work as many people were walking around still bearing scars from the Indian Wars. Vice President Curtis was the first Vice President to take the Oath of Office on the Bible. Vice President Curtis was of the Kaw Tribe in Kansas.

I am not giving this information to take anything away from President Obama, but I simply want everyone to know that we, American Indians, have through Mr. Curtis, been one breath away!! You do realize when a Native American actually becomes President; "Hail To The Chief" will take on new meaning.

The Inauguration of President Obama does present a number of problems for Native Americans, problems not faced by other Americans of whatever background.

One of my cousins, Kenneth Branham, is the Chief of the Monacan Tribe in Virginia and often corresponds with whoever the President may be, though Indians seldom use the term, President. Anyone who has attended movies depicting Indians knows that the President is tenderly referred to as "The Great White Father In Washington." I suppose in order to pay due respect to one of the African Americans great achievements prior to modern times and to the current heights achieved is the title, "The Great Buffalo Soldier on The Potomac."

If, in the course of events a Red Man becomes the Head Man, I really don't know just how to reference him or her. Perhaps in your political protocol wisdom you do and my readers as well as I will deeply appreciate your suggestion.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with Credit

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