I just wanted to put my thoughts together while I rest my legs and recharge my phone.
Going into the American Indian Museum is a thing.
For a lot of years I thought that I had native american blood flowing through my veins.
Which after exploring my ancestory I have found that not to be true.
The part of my heritage that gave the darker complexion to my skin was actually that bit of Turkish with a dash of the Mediterranean olive.
Which, after sitting in the sun for awhile darkens the skin similarly.
It was hard to understand growing up.
It’s funny , after the DNA tests were done some of my families response was, in reference to the Turkish heritage, was that we were “Part Terrorist”.
The ignorance of such a statement struck me like a blow. Rather than celebrating a part of our lineage that gave us something unique it was seen as something derisive.
As I explore the cultures of the world through these museums I’m hoping that I will be able to understand more of that part of my history and eventually see that part of the world with my own eyes.
The German part, the Scottish part, the English Part, and the Italian part are all proudly displayed and celebrated by various members of my family. I know that the labeling of the Turkish blood as "Terrorist" comes from a place of ignorance. And I will admit that in my youth, failing to understand the origins and reasoning behind the statements and actions of the elders around me. I fell into the same trap of reasoning.
That is, I almost did. Luckily I read...a lot.
I read a whole lot.
However, I am grateful for the place in which I grew up. A place where those that hated often had a louder voice than those did not. Seeing the quiet dignity of those that were often the targets of the hatred exemplified.
However, I am grateful for the place in which I grew up. A place where those that hated often had a louder voice than those did not. Seeing the quiet dignity of those that were often the targets of the hatred exemplified.
The museums that told the history. T
he libraries that stored the knowledge all helped me to better understand the area that I grew up in, Its history, and the things that it did both better and worse than other parts of the nation.
But up I go, to learn a little more, to understand a little more, and hopefully to bring a little more light to the darker places in both my mind and as I digest what I find there, to those around me.
