Open Letter To Washington R*dskins Original Americans Foundation

Dear Sir,

     I am just a mom. A Cherokee Nation one, in fact. I read in a letter published online by Dan Snyder that you [Gary Edwards, Cherokee] are going to run his Original Americans Foundation. I was curious as to what Cherokee Tribal Nation Band you are with or if you merely have ancestral ties? 

     I really hope with a fervent heart that it is NOT my Tribal Nation that has produced such a sell-out. I would sooner fix pancakes for supper than take any steak you would offer to deliver to my front door. Having lived with the racism your foundation is getting blood money from, it would feel like selling my soul to the devil. You sir are a fraud, a sham, a liar, and a sell-out. I don't know how I would turn away money for any elders, vets, or kids if you offered. I probably wouldn't and that makes me angry, disgusted, and sad. Because, that is what you are doing to Native American leaders. 

     Unfortunately, that is historically the choices they have to make. Sell your soul to get a few crumbs to survive on. 

     I am so nauseated that a Tsalagi would be at the top of this scheme of TRYING to deprive Native Voices from being heard. It wasn't enough my teachers told me to ignore what the bullies told me in school. "Oh they just heard it on the TV. They didn't mean it to tease you or hurt you," they would say. 

     That was a lie. They were mean in their race-based teasing. Dan Snyder and his R*dskins help make that okay to continue. That is NOT right. That is NOT a criticism. That is NOT being "PC". It REALLY happened to me. It REALLY hurt me as a child. It REALLY made me ban NFL & MLB in my home. It REALLY made me angry later when I was a stronger adult. 

     Instead of helping our families, by getting rid of a racial slur and Native Mascotry, what we actually  requested of Dan Snyder and the NFL. He acted as if money would fix a racism problem. Some things are worth more than money. I am ashamed of you as a person calling himself a Cherokee. We have a history of NOT selling out for money. A history of pain and tears that should have been your strength and pride to draw from to refuse such a nefarious man and his delusions of "honor".

Resolutely,

 

Jennie Stockle

Cherokee Nation citizen

EONM

P.S.

Tell Dan Snyder and Roger Goodall that I too will be proud to join the line of people who fought to end their racism until the last breath, like a truly compassionate man did earlier this month.