Dana Lone Elk
Rez in the City
By Dana Lone Elk
Lakota Country Times Columnist There is a big misconception in Lakota country today. We are good people and we try to be that way to others but we seem to focus on the patriarchal way now, which was learned. Instead of the matriarchal way, which is in our DNA. We don't teach our young men and women that there should be an equal respect there. In fact, respect is hardly ever taught. Our children grow up thinking they deserve respect and don't have to earn it. Social media becomes more of a parent, especially when they see those who should be role models in the community using and abusing social media to air dirty laundry or beg for help. Or to brag about being humble, which is an oxymoron.
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As adults and as Lakota, we also have a responsibility to our children to respect them as another generation, teach them how to act but we also have a responsibility to let them know we are better than begging for help when we are able bodied. We have to let the next generation know that we will not tolerate someone stealing from them and pawning or selling their precious items. Most of us from the reservation are pitiful, most of us do not say this. If we learned from our grandparents, we treat our children and grandchildren with respect, we work or make do without taking from them. We just do, with or without. We don't judge without listening to other's stories but we don't brag ourselves up. We teach our women to be strong because most of us were raised by women. We don't tolerate people hurting our children or stealing from them. We are good people. We really are. Not let us show our children that and earn respect. Do not expect what you don't give. Just be a good human. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter.
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