Stain on our own hands

Iwas glad that so many attended the Plaza rally in protest of the hateful, horrible events that took place in Charlottesville, Va., supporting the pained, injured and survivors of those killed by hate (“‘We can unlearn racism,’ ” Aug. 15). The speeches were powerful, moving and all condemned the acts of the white supremacists for what they were — pure, ignorant hate.

New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, Mayor Javier Gonzales and Rabbi Neil Amswych gave the most impassioned speeches, calling out President Donald Trump and the bigots and racists, and in no uncertain terms condemned them, their acts and their very existence in our society. Good for them for speaking powerfully.

Now we must all carry these sentiments, daily, in our hearts and through actions so that this does not devolve into the, “Well, I showed up!” meme. Rather, we must fight against these acts both from within and without our society and government. Otherwise we backslide into complacency, waiting for the next election. We must create and live our choices daily, or we will lose this “game,” as we are now so close to doing. But what of Santa Fe’s racism? A small group of young indigenous people attempted to be heard, asking where the Native speakers were. Why wasn’t the Native community more involved? About eight, mostly female, Natives began their march, reminding us we stood on stolen land — their land. Two brave young women held an American flag upside down (an international sign of distress). They stood on the bench that surrounds the central obelisk that at one time condemned the Natives for their murderous ways but is now slightly more PC. But just slightly.

A major component of the Native protest was regarding the Entrada that happens yearly during Fiesta de Santa Fe. This is a major flash point for many Hispanics who feel they are “merely expressing heritage,” when in the minds of the defeated, it is rubbing salt into a gaping wound that has never been mended nor attended to.

I make no bones about my position. The Entrada should be stopped and recognized for what it is — a celebration of the brutal conquest of a people that is portrayed now as “peaceful reconquest.” In its place should be a truth and reconciliation process and a making of amends. It is not possible to ever repay the Natives for what was stolen from them, but such a process and an asking for forgiveness would be a start.

Including Natives in events such as the rally could have been part of a simple beginning. From such a process, perhaps Hispanics can admit to what really occurred 325 years ago and what has taken place each year since, and then ask how they might feel if the roles were reversed.

For a moment, imagine a yearly event that commemorated the conquest and taking of 50 percent of Mexico by Anglo-America on Aug. 15, 1846, wherein, “Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny and his U.S. Army of the American West ride into Las Vegas. Standing atop a building on the Plaza, he announces the American takeover of the New Mexico territory and announces the swearing of allegiance to the United States.” Following were the dissolution of promised land grants, lifetimes turned into peonage and tossed onto the marginal lands as Mexico’s 300year reign ended. Such a celebration, icons or no, would not go over well.

It’s time to face our pasts. Let’s make amends, reparations and apologies, and figure out a way to live as humanity, together, in love and support. We cannot condemn the racism of others while we have that stain on our own hands.

Brian O’Keefe is a native New Mexican, has lived in and around Santa Fe for 64 years, and is an activist for truth, fairness and justice. He is awaiting trial on felony charges incurred at Standing Rock.