Fourth of July brings mixed feelings for some minorities

Updated: Jul 04, 2017 12:06 AM EDT

Excerpt:

Ruth Hopkins, a member of South Dakota's Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribe, said Native Americans have always viewed the Fourth of July with ambivalence, and this year will be no different. However, there will be celebrations. Her Lake Traverse Indian Reservation holds an annual powwow on July 4 to honor veterans as a way to take the holiday back, she said.

"Also, a lot of people up here use fireworks and the holiday to celebrate victory over Custer for Victory Day," said Hopkins, referring to Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse defeating George Custer and his 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Still, the holiday comes after tribes and others gathered in North Dakota to support the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its fight against the pipeline, Hopkins said. Because of that, water and land rights remain on peoples' mind, Hopkins said.

Gyasi Ross, a member of Montana's Blackfeet Nation and a writer who lives on the Port Madison Indian Reservation near Seattle, said all the tensions this Fourth of July are a blessing because it has awakened a consciousness among people of color.

"The gloves are off," Ross said. "We can't ignore these things anymore."

However, Ross said he wants his young son to be hopeful about the future. They will likely go fishing on the Fourth of July.

"I still worry about getting shot or something like that," Ross said. "All this stuff is so heavy to be carrying around."

http://www.newson6.com/story/35805344/fourth-of-july-holiday-brings-mixed-feelings-for-minorities