The Present Day Trail of Tears

In the 1830’s President Andrew Jackson signed the “Indian Removal Act” which removed native Americans, using military force, from the southeast USA, including Kentucky. These native Americans were removed to “Indian Territory,” now known as Oklahoma. They were removed because the “white settlers” felt uncomfortable around them and wanted their lands for themselves. The native Americans were accused of all types of criminal activities by both the USA government and the white settlers. These accusations were untrue. One of those native American tribes was the Shawnee native American nation. The white settlers, with government’s military force, took their land, without compensation, and forcefully removed them. The “Trail of Tears” is worth googling where we learn that thousands of those native Americans, including thousands of children and women, died on that forced march from places like Kentucky to Oklahoma. I was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. I grew up knowing about the Trail of Tears. It involved the Shawnee native Americans, called “Indians,” which was intended to be a demeaning term. With this as a part of our nation’s history, the present emphasis of forcefully removing immigrants seems like a repeat of a terrible portion of American history. No wonder the Government does not want this part of the nation’s history to be told and studied. This was not morally right in the 1830s and it is not right in 2025.

I Choose Voices

My preferred method of communication is voice to voice, a conversation with the individual. Texting and emails are very efficient and give you a record. They are extremely popular today, even with emojis as a response to communicate an emotion. Nevertheless, I would prefer to talk with the person. If a person and I are talking, we can hear the emotion. One of the things that I miss about my parents and brother, who are all deceased, is the sound of their voices. I am not able to recreate their voices in my head. I miss hearing them. A person’s voice is unique. There may be voices that sound alike, but each voice has unique qualities. Texting, emails, even with emojis, are not unique. One day in the future my voice and the voices of family and friends will be silent. Until then, whenever I have the option, I choose to hear their voices and for them to hear my voice.

In a conflicted time, I will continue to pray for our nation, even President Trump.

This is a conflicting day for me. I celebrate the memory of Rev. Dr. Martim Luther King, Jr. I grieve the reality of Mr. Donald Trump, Jr. becoming President. I fear that Donald Trump will seek to undue the progress that our nation made under the leadership of Dr. King, Jr., and others. I hear Rev. Franklin Grahams’ prayer and wonder if his father was ashamed as he continues making self-glorification of his Father’s heritage of serving God and others without prejudice. In my therapy practice I have learned to notice body language. I noticed that Mr. Trump neither closes his eyes nor lowers his head during the prayers. Folks may interpret that as they may, but I see at least a lack of reverence and surely much more. President Trump’s speech was a clear example of narcissism, i.e., that God ordained him to be President, as he belittled and criticized others who dare to disagree with him. In a conflicted time, I will continue to pray for our nation, even President Trump.