Radical Hope: What is it and Why is it Important? Insights from the Book Building Better Worlds

[@madhattersmachete]

That radical hope is a concept and feeling that must mobilised by so many different groups, in particular Indigenous communities in settler colonial contexts (amongst others of course), is instructive about the inherent violence of "modernity" ...not to mention the fighting spirit, resilience, and even optimism of dispossessed groups. Radical hope for collective liberation.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. Yes, absolutely!!

[@Retro-Revival]

We have to inspire each other, and bring out the truly loving character of all through understanding. Much respect to all, Retro

[@masoodraja]

Thank you. Yes, absolutely.

[@Retro-Revival]

We can make this world better TOGETHER. Thank you so much for the shoutout from before. I really enjoy your community on here.

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@marcmccook9154]

Thank you much for this edification of radical hope that the world currently must abide by in diplomacy.

[@masoodraja]

You are welcome.

[@marsamos5071]

I wish Harry Rasky lived and could be asked for that question of Hope among the Indians. He built a great documentary on "The War Against the Indians". There's a lot in that film to help us feel what a huge unlimited destruction of identities take place under genocide and death. Thank you Dr. Masood.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@MrRajaalam]

❤️

[@gnostic268]

I have to disagree with you regarding the Crow (Absaroka). I am Hunkpapa Lakota and enrolled at Standing Rock. The Crow were long time enemies of the Oceti Sakowin (7 Council Fires-Lakota/Dakota/Nakota) and their primary goal of collaborating with the U.S. Army/Cavalry was to be able to punish the Lakota and other enemies via the U.S. Cavalry because they were a small tribe and would never have been able to do this themselves. In my opinion they did not think of this as a way to survive. They thoughtof it as a way to rid themseves of an enemy and gain access to land that was Lakota territory for hunting. They had no idea at the time that the buffalo would be hunted to near extinction both to starve Native tribes who were dependent on the buffalo but also to clear the land for the railroads. The Crow saw this as an easy way to defeat an enemy. My own grandfather/ancestor, Running Antelope who is 7 generations up my family tree was a Chief of the Hunkpapa band, a highly respected Shirtwearer and orator of the Lakota and along with other chiefs signed the Ft Laramie Treaty of 1868. This treaty gave the Lakota all of the land west of the Missouri River and some areas in southwestern Montana and the northeast corner of Wyoming and the northwest corner of Nebraska. Most importantly, it included the Black Hills in the southwestern part of modern day South Dakota. It has long been a sacred place for both the Oceti Sakowin and the Cheyenne who were allies. Ceremonies are still held there today. However, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills, the U.S. government threw out the treaty and began implementing their plans for different band of Lakota (who had been living as hunter gatherers and moved from summer hunting grounds where the could follow buffalo herds, to winter camp grounds where they lived and sheltered from the constant winds on the Northern Plains) to reservations. When the gov't, which established many forts throughout Dakota territory, began drawing up the boundaries for Standing Rock, several chiefs were asked to participate in moving permanently onto the reservation. Running Antelope who was around 10 years older than Sitting Bull who was a close friend, decided that he wanted his extended family (tiyospayé) to survive and he agreed to move onto the reservation where he learned farming techniques. He had once as a young man been taken prisoner by the Arikara. He lived with them for a time and when he was rescued by Lakota warriors, he returned with an Arikara wife. So he knew how to get along with enemies and to coexist peacefully with others. Sitting Bull and other warriors did not like Running Antelope's decision and went on fighting. In the meantime Running Antelope taught farming to his own family group and other who agreed to settle on the reservation. When Sitting Bull returned from Canada with a military escort, Running Antelope was chosen to greet him and welcome him to Standing Rock reservation. Sitting Bull traveled with Buffalo Bill and was ultimately murdered by a Dakota tribal policeman for a trumped up charge. Running Antelope cooperated with the U.S. Army to ensure that his family and Hunkpapa band survived. He did not collaborate with the Army/Gov't against other tribes. This is what I would call radical hope. There are a couple hundred of us who are direct descendants and Standing Rock has continued to flourish. The Crow Tribe (I have several Crow friends) has remained small and did not benefit greatly from their collaboration with the Army as scouts for the Cavalry.

[@masoodraja]

Thank you for your insights. I don’t think we are in disagreement. The Crow were losing territory to the Lakota and others. My references was just how some deride his decision but I am not one of them.