In my many years of writing for various publications across Oklahoma City, I have received almost every kind of death threat one possibly can. While they usually elicit laughter more than anything else, it can always get a bit hairy anytime I tempt fate and write about Indigenous issues; then again, intimidation into silence is the point of most threats, right?
From the miffed groupies of a local rock star to an entire angered town of watermelon-pushers, whenever it got murderously bad, I would usually go to my friend, Indigenous activist Frances Danger, for advice on how to deal with this higher level of hate mail. Mvskoke Creek and Seminole—enrolled Mvskoke—she has remained an inspiration to never give up and never surrender regarding the ongoing fight for the long-denied rights of the Native community.
But now, as an advocate and supporter of the Society to Protect Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Treaties—S.P.I.R.I.T.—she is helping to organize a peaceful sit-in rally to bring attention to the Centennial Land Run Monument in Bricktown and the racist history it represents in Oklahoma; it will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 11th, 200 Centennial Ave. at the monument.
In the midst of preparing for Saturday’s event—and the recent disturbing news that right-wing counter-protestors will be there to cause trouble—Danger took the time to talk to me about the need for these protests, the pain of Native history and the overall positive message of the day.
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