AIM has long history of attempting to cast everything they’ve done and do as being “spiritually” inspired, and I suspect for those who lack a fundamental understanding of what the nations various traditions and ceremonies are about have and will continue to buy into that.
Not a stretch to say that’s AIM’s endgame and they appreciate those who do.
Of course this appreciation ebbs and flows with the frequency and amount of donations and the infrequency of questions asked, so if you want to remain in good standing and demonstrate that “red heart” you might consider a monthly direct deposit to the AIM charlatan or “charity” of your choice and refrain from asking any questions – an occasional gushing of support could earn you the title of a reverse apple if you’re interested in such things.
Which kind of brings me to that “spiritual encampment” at Jumping Bull – in the aftermath of the murder at point blank range of two federal officers much has been made by AIM and the shaimsters about the “spiritual” nature and intent of those who gathered there.
It was all about the creation of a safe haven, some sort of sanctuary, and protecting elders from the infamous Dick Wilson Goon squads as it is told now.
Dick Wilson as tribal president was a piece of shit up to his neck in corruption, cronyism, and nepotism rivaled in degree only by the AIM leadership.
AIM’s efforts that included Wounded Knee 2 had nothing to do with “liberation”, what it was about was a conflict between two warring factions whose goal was to gain supremacy.
On the one hand Wilson had the BIA and the feds on his side – on the other AIM had the CPUSA and various gangs attempting to disguise themselves as a people’s movement as they dealt in drugs and gun running.
Not a healthy mix nor alliances that would actually resolve issues in an equitable manner.
Wilson’s Goons murdered people, rode roughshod over them and relied heavily on intimidation – not to be outdone AIM murdered people, ran roughshod over them and relied heavily on intimidation ……. so whose fooling who?
Wilson and the AIM leadership were both aberrations who would stop at nothing to achieve their goal, and that goal was about power, control, and whose hands were on the purse strings.
The fact that Wilson employed goons is undeniable, equally undeniable is that AIM did likewise with individuals like Leonard Peltier and Dave Hill, they being the shortlist.
No love lost on this end for either side, for the approach they took, or the carnage and bodies they left in their wake.
There is no high ground, no moral imperative when the tactics employed by opposing sides are the same and prioritize dominance.
Wilson didn’t give a damn about communal well being and neither did the AIM leadership.
After five hundred plus years of abuse and subjugation I don’t really expect anyone outside of the nations to care, well and good if they do, but I surely do those within our communities who hold an office, any office, and those who have made a career of intoning “in the spirit of Crazy Horse”.
