Every now and again, the genesis of a good idea hails from the most unexpected of places. I can probably count on one hand the number of times that I have made any positive reference to
Salon Magazine, and yet their writing has prompted me to begin an experiment that I suspect my readers will find insightful, if not mildly amusing.
In brief, Salon magazine ran an utterly provocative piece of investigative journalism detailing the obscure origins of country music legend Johnny Cash's 1964 album "Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian."
Although I have long considered myself a fan of the late 'Man in Black', I had little idea about the particular interest Cash paid to Native American issues. Surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly given the music industry’s reaction to the album), I had neither heard, nor heard of most of its songs.
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While the story is a good read for the additional dimension it provides to a certifiable country legend, the Salon piece’s real insight is the way it handles the evils of alcoholism, and its effect on Native American populations. As presented in the article, the story behind Johnny Cash's
The Ballad of Ira Hayes readily conjures up the broader problem of societal 'indifference' toward Native Americans. The critique impliedly levied is that society is still indifferent to the struggles of Native Americans, even as it was indifferent to
Ira Hayes so many years ago.
As any guest of this site, however infrequent, will understand, I’m far from the crusader. My bent is more toward the practical, and the pragmatic (if not the sarcastic) on most aspects of life. From theology, to politics, I tend to reject the extremes. But for once, I am inclined to believe that Salon’s ‘activist’ analysis identifies precisely the issue in question. Examples of indifference toward Native American issues are all too abundant to conclude otherwise.
This summer, for instance, I attended every hearing held by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. At no hearing was every member of the committee present. In fact, not even one-quarter of the members of the committee took the time to attend any given hearing. Yet, at the health care reform mark up in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, scarce did a day pass when any of that committee’s members were absent.
Admittedly, the example is anecdotal. Health care dominated debate on the Hill all summer long, and was by far the highest legislative priority set by the Senate Majority Leader. Yet, one could not help wondering why so little interest was paid to the lone population to whom the Federal government owes a fiduciary, trust obligation. The simple fact, as the Salon piece intimates, is that society is no more interested in Native American issues today than it was when Johnny Cash sang about Ira Hayes in 1964.
So, what are the issues? Why are issues related to Native Americans even relevant concerns in a time of global recession, multiple theaters of war, and an era of unprecedented government expansion into everything from
health care to your
home radio? Again, bear in mind that Native Americans comprise all of 1% of the U.S. population. In the coming weeks, and in recognition of
Native American Heritage Month, I hope to address some of these questions.
I intend to run a series of columns called “The Ira Hayes Series” which will explore some of the most pressing issues facing Indian Country today. The intent is to explain for a general audience what issues are relevant to Indian Country, and to suggest solutions that are consistent with the principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and tribal tradition. If nothing else, it will be an interesting exercise in melding the worlds of conservative thought, and tribal interests – an exercise that has seldom occurred for mass consumption.
Naturally, I recognize that this will not appeal to everyone’s ideological cup of tea. Some readers frequent these ramparts for my typically, snide analysis of our hapless Administration. Others will reject my premise that conservative principles, and tribal interests are commensurable. Both could be valid criticisms.
But to the skeptics, I invite your open-mind to allow me to persuade it otherwise. And for the regulars, to quote Sean Hannity, ‘let not your heart be troubled’ - blogging will continue apace. The
Ira Hayes Series will simply be in addition to our usually scheduled programming.
For now, however, please enjoy the inspiration behind our eponymous series - Johnny Cash’s
The Ballad of Ira Hayes.
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