Category Archives: my own thoughts

When Did the United States Become Our Church?

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Stephen Carr Hampton

I grew up in a conservative evangelical Republican context. I now consider myself a left-wing progressive liberation theology Christian who votes Democrat but really prefers the Green Party. I have mixed allegiances. I am a citizen of the United States, … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged christian, Franklin Graham, gay, lesbian, pluralistic, same-sex marriage, Supreme Court | 1 Comment

A Tribal/Federal Government Conference: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Stephen Carr Hampton

I just had the privilege of attending the National Tribal Natural Resource Damage and Restoration Conference. Hosted by the Saginaw Chippewa at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, the conference was also sponsored by the US … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged Chippewa, echo-hawk, In the courts of the conqueror, LaDuke, Native American history, NRDA, Saginaw, the black hills are not for sale, Winona | Leave a comment

Why Cheap Gas Implies Worse Things for the Climate than the Keystone Pipeline

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Stephen Carr Hampton

In November, the House of Representatives approved the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Rosebud Sioux, whose land the pipeline would run through, responded by declaring, “We are a sovereign nation…. We will close our reservation borders to Keystone XL. Authorizing Keystone … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged cheap gas, climate change, energy, gas prices, geo-engineering, global warming, Keystone, markets, McKibben, oil supply, pipeline, Rosebud Sioux | 1 Comment

Twelve Things More Offensive than the Washington Redsk*ns

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Stephen Carr Hampton

Much has been written about the problems associated with team mascot names like the Redsk*ns—their derogatory history, their effect on indigenous youth, and the inevitable offensive chants and signs from fans of opposing teams (e.g. “scalp the Redsk*ns”, etc.). Thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged $20 bill, Andrew Jackson, battle streamer, Black Hills, CDIB, Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Massacre, Medals of Honor, Mt. Rushmore, Native, Paha Sapa, Pine ridge, Pocahontas, redskins, Sand Creek, Wounded Knee | 4 Comments

Indians on Mars: Interpreting Sherman Alexi’s Talk at Whitman College

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Stephen Carr Hampton

On October 1, renowned Spokane author Sherman Alexie was invited to speak at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, not far from his boyhood home on the rez. The college, named in honor of Marcus Whitman, a missionary famously killed … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; banned; censorship; Sherman Alexie; Idaho | 1 Comment

The World Cup, the Ball Game, and the Little Brother of War

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Stephen Carr Hampton

They say is closes the shops, schools, and businesses, starts and stops wars, and fully engulfs societies on game days. But the drama and passions of the World Cup are far from unique. In the 1600s, the Ball Game in … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged ball game, ceremony, football, futbol, little brother of war, Native American history, ritual, soccer, World Cup | Leave a comment

Range Wars and White Privilege

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Stephen Carr Hampton

Throughout the history of the west, white settlers encroached upon Native American lands, creating conflict. More often than not, there was minimal violence. Instead, the Natives went to the federal authorities, with whom they already had a treaty, and asked … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts, news | Tagged Bundy, cattle, Dann, Native American history, range war, Treaty of Ruby Valley, white privilege | 5 Comments

Colonial Bros and Nava-hos: Why did these frats think this was okay?

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Stephen Carr Hampton

Last week, several fraternities and sororities at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo hosted a party with the theme “Colonial Bros and Nava-hos”. As word of the party leaked out afterwards, the campus president, faculty, and many students denounced it. Other … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged cal poly slo, Colonial bros and nava-hos, Native American history, navajo | 1 Comment

Redskins

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Stephen Carr Hampton

[I will keep adding to this list as I find more quotes.] From the 1500’s thru the 1800’s, the most common derogatory term for Native Americans was “savages”. In the 1830’s, large scale ethnic cleansing (called “Indian Removal”) become official … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged Native American history, redskins | 10 Comments

Selective Memories from Syria to Fort Pitt

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Stephen Carr Hampton

President Obama is right to voice outrage at the use of chemical weapons in Syria. While the concept of rules in warfare is a bit ironic, maintaining an international consensus against the use of these weapons, which kill civilians so … Continue reading →

Posted in my own thoughts | Tagged chemical warfare, chemical weapons, native americans, smallpox, syria | 1 Comment