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Archiver > CHOCTAW-SOUTHEAST > 2002-03 > 1015616600


From: "Dusty" <>
Subject: Re: [CHOCTAW-SE] wanting to know the past
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 13:43:20 -0600
References: <123.ce27856.29b9aa23@aol.com>


In a perfect world that would be so, but offense is an emotional reaction
which depends on one's own personal life experience, and emotions are not
something that can be turned on and off with a switch. Some situations that
offend me I speak up about and some I keep silent about. I think that's
why, within a group where the unity of the group is what's imporant, it's
doubly important to chose one's words carefully and for everyone to play by
the same rules. I feel that's why outsiders have such a problem
understanding our traditional ways. This country today operates on the
principle of individual freedom, and I'm most grateful for that. But within
a traditional Choctaw culture, the individual was secondary to the safety
and survival of the group as a whole in most instances. Personal freedom
was OK as long as it did not jeapordize the safety of the group.

dusty

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