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Description
I have a deep respect for the Native American people, and all that they have suffered. While they are of a ethnic minority (which is sort of amusing, as there are about 5 NAs to every white person here), and I am of a religious minority, I feel like I can relate in some distant way. I feel that while it does take a great amount of bravery to be able to walk around with the Star on your chest, it takes even greater courage to be able to walk around on a day to day basis, and be proud and open about who you are.

The Jews are able to sort of hide who they are - we aren't like Christians who wear the Cross on necklaces or earrings, or talk openly about our religion - and especially during WW times, we tried to hide away so that it was difficult to discriminate against us, or identify us out of a crowd (Unless you're talking about Hitler and his weeding out of the non Arians, in which case, we were fucked before it even began). In my whole life, I've never met a Native American who's tried to hide who they are, what their linage is, or tried to deny that they have Indian in them (However, for the latter, I've met people who say that just so they can get into reservation casinos...hmm...).

I think that there are two ways that discrimination and prejudice can affect a community or person, and the Jews and the Native Americans are the two extremes. You can either try to blend into a group, become indistinguishable from your neighbor, or you can be proud of who you are, and accept any ridicule you might have launched at you.

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Taken during the annual Heritage Parade down in bumblefuck, WA. I think this woman's been in several pieces that has endorsed both the event, as well as the community. Unfortunately, though I recognized her, I was perched in a Jeep a good 20 feet away from the Parade route, and she was in a moving vehicle. If she wasn't, I would have mobbed her and spoken to her a bit, so I can only guess at what she's like. She kind of seems like she'd be very proud of who she is, what she represents to the world, and like that.

Art © Brittany T. Wells
Model - Unknown © Herself

Description
I have a deep respect for the Native American people, and all that they have suffered. While they are of a ethnic minority (which is sort of amusing, as there are about 5 NAs to every white person here), and I am of a religious minority, I feel like I can relate in some distant way. I feel that while it does take a great amount of bravery to be able to walk around with the Star on your chest, it takes even greater courage to be able to walk around on a day to day basis, and be proud and open about who you are.

The Jews are able to sort of hide who they are - we aren't like Christians who wear the Cross on necklaces or earrings, or talk openly about our religion - and especially during WW times, we tried to hide away so that it was difficult to discriminate against us, or identify us out of a crowd (Unless you're talking about Hitler and his weeding out of the non Arians, in which case, we were fucked before it even began). In my whole life, I've never met a Native American who's tried to hide who they are, what their linage is, or tried to deny that they have Indian in them (However, for the latter, I've met people who say that just so they can get into reservation casinos...hmm...).

I think that there are two ways that discrimination and prejudice can affect a community or person, and the Jews and the Native Americans are the two extremes. You can either try to blend into a group, become indistinguishable from your neighbor, or you can be proud of who you are, and accept any ridicule you might have launched at you.

---

Taken during the annual Heritage Parade down in bumblefuck, WA. I think this woman's been in several pieces that has endorsed both the event, as well as the community. Unfortunately, though I recognized her, I was perched in a Jeep a good 20 feet away from the Parade route, and she was in a moving vehicle. If she wasn't, I would have mobbed her and spoken to her a bit, so I can only guess at what she's like. She kind of seems like she'd be very proud of who she is, what she represents to the world, and like that.

Art © Brittany T. Wells
Model - Unknown © Herself