Stop the Destruction of a Sacred Indian Mound
Target:
Alabama Historical Commission
Sponsored by:
A sacred Indian mound in Oxford, Alabama is being destroyed so that the city can use the dirt as fill for a Sam's (a retail warehouse store). In spite of a report from the University of Alabama commissioned by the city itself that says the site is significant culturally and archaeologically, the mayor of Oxford has declared that the site was formed naturally and "only used to send smoke signals". The destruction of the site has preceded over the objections of many locals who consider the site sacred. (The Online Magazine for the Institute of Southern Studies has the complete story here.)
This destruction of heritage needs to be stopped! Please sign the petition asking the Alabama Historical Commission to step in and stop the mound from being torn down any further.
This destruction of heritage needs to be stopped! Please sign the petition asking the Alabama Historical Commission to step in and stop the mound from being torn down any further.
A sacred Indian mound in Oxford, Alabama is being destroyed so that the city can use the dirt as fill for a Sam's (a retail warehouse store). In spite of a report from the University of Alabama commissioned by the city itself that says the site is significant culturally and archaeologically, the mayor of Oxford has declared that the site was formed naturally and "only used to send smoke signals". The destruction of the site has preceded over the objections of many locals who consider the site sacred. (The Online Magazine for the Institute of Southern Studies has the complete story here.)
This destruction of heritage needs to be stopped! Please sign the petition asking the Alabama Historical Commission to step in and stop the mound from being torn down any further.
This destruction of heritage needs to be stopped! Please sign the petition asking the Alabama Historical Commission to step in and stop the mound from being torn down any further.
We the undersigned are asking you to step in and stop the destruction of the sacred Indian mound in Oxford, Alabama.
We are appalled by the ruination of such an important part of the heritage of Native Americans and, indeed, all Americans. The sacred spaces of American citizens should not be used as construction filler, nor should an archaeological site of such importance be allowed to be mined for dirt.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
We are appalled by the ruination of such an important part of the heritage of Native Americans and, indeed, all Americans. The sacred spaces of American citizens should not be used as construction filler, nor should an archaeological site of such importance be allowed to be mined for dirt.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
We signed the "Stop the Destruction of a Sacred Indian Mound" petition!
# 834:
11:01 am PST, Feb 9,
Terry Closner, North Carolina
The callous attitude the mayor has towards this sacred site, exemplified by his comments that the mound is not man-made and was used only to "send smoke signals", is no better than the attitude towards Native Americans that the Europeans had when they first came to this country. As a white person, I am embarrassed that this behavior is still occurring, even in the 21st century. Apparently greed is alive and well, even in Oxford, AL. Why is it that we can desecrate a site that is sacred in the eyes of Native Americans with no repercussions, yet send a person to prison for even vandalizing a church?
The callous attitude the mayor has towards this sacred site, exemplified by his comments that the mound is not man-made and was used only to "send smoke signals", is no better than the attitude towards Native Americans that the Europeans had when they first came to this country. As a white person, I am embarrassed that this behavior is still occurring, even in the 21st century. Apparently greed is alive and well, even in Oxford, AL. Why is it that we can desecrate a site that is sacred in the eyes of Native Americans with no repercussions, yet send a person to prison for even vandalizing a church?
# 833:
1:50 am PST, Feb 9,
Jonathan Fuller, Alabama
The preservation of our natural landscapes, forests, and Indian burial grounds are important to the people of Oxford. Not another excuse-to-buy-in-bulk-Sam's Club.
The preservation of our natural landscapes, forests, and Indian burial grounds are important to the people of Oxford. Not another excuse-to-buy-in-bulk-Sam's Club.
# 832:
3:35 pm PST, Feb 8,
Celeste Clary, California
# 831:
1:06 pm PST, Feb 8,
Virginia Lionatto, Argentina
# 830:
1:05 pm PST, Feb 8,
Elizabeth Gill, California
# 829:
9:44 am PST, Feb 8,
Becca Gibson, Tennessee
# 828:
6:52 pm PST, Feb 7,
Brian Evans, Alabama
# 827:
6:38 pm PST, Feb 7,
Kim Phariss, Mississippi
# 826:
2:43 pm PST, Feb 7,
Tammy Cheng, Minnesota
# 825:
2:19 pm PST, Feb 7,
David May, Missouri
# 824:
1:29 pm PST, Feb 6,
Lloyd Daggett, Oregon
Golgotha (the hill where Christ was murdered) was "formed naturally and was only used to crucify criminals", so it's ok to put a Sam's Club there, right? If a physical location is revered as "huaca" (honored place, a place of historical or mytho-historical significance, embodiment of the sacred) by a culture, it shows the dignity, humanity, and character of another culture to respect that. Otherwise we've not evolved culturally since 19th century Imperialism and wild west self-righteous justification through a belief in Manifest Destiny via Capitalism. Capitalism must not be our highest power.
Golgotha (the hill where Christ was murdered) was "formed naturally and was only used to crucify criminals", so it's ok to put a Sam's Club there, right? If a physical location is revered as "huaca" (honored place, a place of historical or mytho-historical significance, embodiment of the sacred) by a culture, it shows the dignity, humanity, and character of another culture to respect that. Otherwise we've not evolved culturally since 19th century Imperialism and wild west self-righteous justification through a belief in Manifest Destiny via Capitalism. Capitalism must not be our highest power.
# 823:
1:00 pm PST, Feb 6,
Name not displayed, Oregon
Walmart (who owns Sam's Club) has sucked the lifeblood out of this nation's economy for long enough as it is. They've destroyed the potential for small businesses to thrive and made the spirit of American entrepreneurship irrelevant. Native Americans shouldn't have to pay for our bad decisions. They've suffered enough already.
Walmart (who owns Sam's Club) has sucked the lifeblood out of this nation's economy for long enough as it is. They've destroyed the potential for small businesses to thrive and made the spirit of American entrepreneurship irrelevant. Native Americans shouldn't have to pay for our bad decisions. They've suffered enough already.
# 822:
6:49 am PST, Feb 6,
Pam Cheever, Missouri
too much has been lost already.....too much has been disrespected already......
too much has been lost already.....too much has been disrespected already......
# 821:
5:57 am PST, Feb 6,
Kimela Perkey, Alabama
I live in Alabama and Native American "Cherokee", so anything I can do to help preserve Native American culture, count me in......lol
I live in Alabama and Native American "Cherokee", so anything I can do to help preserve Native American culture, count me in......lol
# 820:
6:08 pm PST, Feb 5,
Lysette Kent, Virginia
# 819:
5:47 pm PST, Feb 5,
Kelly Velez, New Jersey
# 818:
4:08 pm PST, Feb 5,
Name not displayed, Alabama
# 817:
8:49 am PST, Feb 5,
Elena McDonald, California
Stop the Destruction of Sacred Sites!!
Stop the Destruction of Sacred Sites!!
# 816:
8:21 am PST, Feb 5,
Kristy Liddell, New York
# 815:
7:21 am PST, Feb 5,
Tracy Causey-Jeffery, New York
# 814:
7:04 am PST, Feb 5,
Joslyn Leve, California
# 813:
5:47 am PST, Feb 5,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
After all that Native Americans have endured in our country, it is time for us to respect their traditions and stop raiding their heritage for our own benefit. How ignorant to say this is something 'only for smoke signals' - it's amazing how someone in the 21st century can sound like someone from the 17th.
After all that Native Americans have endured in our country, it is time for us to respect their traditions and stop raiding their heritage for our own benefit. How ignorant to say this is something 'only for smoke signals' - it's amazing how someone in the 21st century can sound like someone from the 17th.
# 812:
12:20 am PST, Feb 5,
Mike Lowery, Alabama
# 811:
12:10 am PST, Feb 5,
Tekla Drakfrende, Sweden
# 810:
8:22 pm PST, Feb 4,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 809:
5:40 pm PST, Feb 4,
Jennifer Baerwald, California
# 808:
4:03 pm PST, Feb 4,
Kathryn Wilson, Georgia
Indian mounds are a unique and amazing part of the Southeast US's landscape and history. They represent the remnants of an extremely sophisticated civilization that flourished here centuries before the arrival of Columbus. These societies had complex political, social, and spiritual structures that. For those of Native American descent, these sites are sacred and should not be disturbed. For the rest of us, they are a precious part of our Southern (indeed our American) heritage. Instead of destroying them, we should be preserving and studying them, passing the sense of mystery and power on to a new generation. Sham on you Oxford! Alabama Historical Commission, please save this treasure.
Indian mounds are a unique and amazing part of the Southeast US's landscape and history. They represent the remnants of an extremely sophisticated civilization that flourished here centuries before the arrival of Columbus. These societies had complex political, social, and spiritual structures that. For those of Native American descent, these sites are sacred and should not be disturbed. For the rest of us, they are a precious part of our Southern (indeed our American) heritage. Instead of destroying them, we should be preserving and studying them, passing the sense of mystery and power on to a new generation. Sham on you Oxford! Alabama Historical Commission, please save this treasure.
# 807:
2:57 pm PST, Feb 4,
Josh McCracken, Alabama
# 806:
10:48 am PST, Feb 4,
Amber Lee, Alabama
It is a sad state of affairs when our history is destroyed for a parking lot and a retail store, of which we already have too many. How much of American history do we have? Not enough. What history or prehistory we have must be preserved for our sakes and future generations.
It is a sad state of affairs when our history is destroyed for a parking lot and a retail store, of which we already have too many. How much of American history do we have? Not enough. What history or prehistory we have must be preserved for our sakes and future generations.
# 805:
8:45 am PST, Feb 4,
Dvora Gordon, California
More then enough destruction has been wrought on Native lands and Sacred Sites. It is time to stop the destruction and finally show respect to the original people of this land.
More then enough destruction has been wrought on Native lands and Sacred Sites. It is time to stop the destruction and finally show respect to the original people of this land.
# 804:
8:05 am PST, Feb 4,
Laura Moody, Georgia
# 803:
7:17 am PST, Feb 4,
Anne Chance, Georgia
# 802:
6:31 am PST, Feb 4,
Carolyn Smock, Arizona
Protect Sacred Sites, Protect Human Rights, no desecration for recreation or any other reason, learn more www.savethepeaks.org
Protect Sacred Sites, Protect Human Rights, no desecration for recreation or any other reason, learn more www.savethepeaks.org
# 801:
6:30 am PST, Feb 4,
Amanda Bloom, California
