Good Morning Everybody!

I am truly humbled by all of your personal messages, stories, and additional documents, resources, and articles you have all sent to me this past week! Minority groups and minority opinion have been silenced for far too long in Mahopac and throughout the United States. That is why this movement is so important! The courage to speak up to the majority opinion, especially in unjust circumstances, is paramount to generating systemic change. Together, we are a powerful conduit for the creation of a just society.

Per request, here are a few more FAQs and resources for navigating conversations and oppositional talking points:

1) Argument: "Well...I'm part Cherokee...and I'm not offended!" Answer: "I highly recommend watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loK2DRBnk24 - Start at time mark 3:55." If they choose not to watch the video, ask them the following questions: "How have you interacted with your heritage? Have you ever lived on a reservation? Do you talk with indigenous leaders/health experts? And if you have, who?"  Use these questions as an opportunity to gather information :) 

2) Argument: "There are more important issues here that need to be addressed!! Like high taxes!!" Answer: "There are many issues that are affecting our community. High taxes is an excellent example of a priority issue within our municipality. But, I propose that the adherence of our society to promoting diversity, maintaining inclusion, and developing equity for all is just as vital of an issue. Every individual will have a different community priority, and this just happens to be mine."

3) Argument: "Our petition has over 3,000 signatures and yours only has less than 1,000. You lost!" Answer: "The purpose of this petition was not, and was never, to gain the most amount of signatures. This petition was to start a conversation and reflect upon our emotional ties to a symbol that has never truly belonged to our community. Therefore, I thank you for engaging in this issue, and urge you to continue reflecting on why you feel so strongly about this symbol, and why its retirement enhances your emotions. This is far from over :)"

4) Lastly, attached is a TED Talk by Maulian Dana, the Penobscot Nation Ambassador in Maine, where she descriptively engages with this subject through a powerfully cogent first-hand narration. This was posted on December 13th, 2019.

I am wishing everyone of you a Merry Christmas and very Happy Holidays! Please continue to share this petition, continue to engage with this subject, continue to send me all of your findings and inspirations, and continue fighting for social justice! 

~Sincerely,

Daniel Ehrenpreis