FEO4

I live in a town with a very large well assimilated Mennonite population. They are generally highly regarded and people flock to their businesses partly for the novelty but also they do tend to be some of the highest quality shoe makers, home builders and restaurants around town. Is there anything I should be looking out for or doing differently?

I’ve only really spoken with person who lived in the community and she sold cocaine… they ride electric bikes and use public transportation, if you are around town on the weekend it is almost impossible not to see at least one Mennonite family, would this indicate that the sect in my town is less controlling/restrictive than others around the country?

Do you think pulling the race card in and of itself is racist? I mean how is assuming that my upbringing was the same as the stereo typical white person's any different than someone assuming that you grew up dancing around a fire and shooting a bow and arrow?

I don't actually think that but I work in the field of public health so eliminating racial disparities, including those of native Americans, is my main focus. However, "the white man's guilt" is a very real thing and I believe part of that is because the only widely accepted racism in this country is against whites. As a white person I am offended that I've never been invited to one of these secret white meetings where everyone supposedly leaves with a successful career and health insurance. I know it sounds crazy but I'm from a uniquely biracial family (I'm full white but my two brothers are full black) so my view of race is insane, I've literally experienced racism on both sides; from people assuming I'm racist because I'm white to people moving my family and I to a different seat in the restaurant because my family is black. I've also found it is easier for my brothers to brush off the remarks of some backwards hill billy than it is for me to listen to my peers and people I respect explain why "white people" (I prefer "people") have ruined EVERYTHING. What is your take on this? Is racism against whites tolerated in the Native American community? My personal belief is that ALL racism will thrive in private as long as ANY form of racism is tolerated in public.

On a side note I recently went to Central America and stayed on the Panamanian version of a reservation (people just live inside a national park) and it was probably the most beautiful place I've ever been in my life, seriously canoeing down the river I felt like I was in Jurassic park, but when the local guide called them Indians it really pissed me off. Like by the time they met these people they fucking knew they weren't from India. I even asked why they used that word, I know it's a derogatory term but at least the very first time it was used it was an honest mistake, continuing to use it is blatant racism, especially outside the United States. Is there a sort of NAACP for Native Americans? And do you feel a connection to indigenous people worldwide?

I know I've gone on and on but I've never responded to an AMA before, if you answer even just one of my questions I will be deeply gratified. If you aren't completely sick of me at this point I also have lots of public health related questions that I would love to get a chance to ask.