MissyLaneous

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#17: Gloria, Broadway and Bizr by Palestinians Podcast on #SoundCloud

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{A description of the ceremonies, particularly the daily water ceremony, that I was fortunate to be part of at Standing Rock during the autumn and winter stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline.}

Early Morning…

With each sunrise, the music of prayers sung in Lakota waft in on the wind. Sacred language, preserved through determined perseverance. It almost seems the winds whistle in tune as they playfully whip against the tipis, tents and yurts, insisting that each of us heed the call to wake up and greet the day. During the night, these same cheeky winds have snuck in mini snow drifts around the inside of the base of our tipi. There’s even some gathered on the edge of my cot!

I procrastinate a little by watching the icy cold crystalize my breath and attach it to the bundle of blankets around my head which feebly block the narrow opening of my subzero degree sleeping bag. Listening to the prayers and drums is lovely, but I’ll have to get up very soon to make it to the 7am water ceremony. I begin shivering in mental preparation to brave the elements. My tipi mates are already awake and out on security patrol. They’ll certainly have fun teasing me over breakfast for sleeping in. Begrudgingly, I grit my city-girl teeth & hop out of my cocoon squealing at the tempered cold. I still won’t feel the true might of North Dakota winter for another few minutes.

One by one I feebly attempt to defrost my many layers of clothing in front of the small wood burning stove. Bundled and ready, I peel away every layer covering the entrance of the tipi and waddle out into multiple arctic blasts. Observing that my awe of this unimaginable cold still hasn’t waned, I crunch my way through the snow passing beautiful horses and temporary homes to the oh-so-glamorous porto-potties. I’ll just let you imagine the unsavory work involved in navigating such a small and smelly space in below freezing temps while wearing multiple layers. Next stop is the medic tent to fill up on medicinal hot tea. Greeting friends and familiar faces, I continue to carefully navigate the 10 inch deep block of ice which covers the entire campground and make my way to the sacred fire.

I’d like to mention here that the Oceti Sakowin camp (at the time, the largest of three camps at Standing Rock) was structured around sacred fires. They included ashes preserved for generations including fires to which Sitting Bull himself offered prayers. Think about that. Now, upon entering a sacred fire, (which is tended at all times by fire keepers) you enter on the left and exit on the right. So it is with entrance to this expansive camp. From the street, facing camp, you drive in on the left, make your way around in a general horseshoe shape and exit on the right. It serves as a reminder that Oceti is a prayer camp and as such each of us are in ceremony while on these sacred grounds. I’ll write more about that in a later post.

Upon my arrival to the fire, I join dozens of water protectors in thoughtfulness and prayer. No photos are allowed at ceremonies and thank goodness. Remembering reverence is vital to this precious work of restoration and decolonization.

In that circle, I think almost everyone feels simultaneously humbled by and inextricably linked to the Great Unknown. Smoldering sage is lovingly offered to each of us. One by one, we cup our hands around the smoke to bring it in close to inhale and gently waft all around our bodies. This process of smudging helps clarify your intentions and focus your thoughts.

Once everyone has smudged, the group makes its way towards the river bank. Soon after, the songs begin again. They’re usually prayers of thanks and protection. The procession pauses thoughtfully whenever an elder shares a story. Then the walk continues along with more songs of prayer and hope and love for Mother Earth.

Finally, we make it to the Missouri River. Many think of her as one of the relatives who called us here.

Separating by however a person identifies, men line the wooden path as women make their way single file to the water. In two lines, one by one, each one offers prayer, cedar, and tobacco. Songs continue all the while. Once every woman takes her turn, they switch places with the men. In kind, women give nods and smiles of encouragement as each one passes to give their offerings.

With this state of shared grace, the mind is naturally drawn to contemplate this place in time and history. Black Elk and other ancestors prophesied that the native nations of Turtle Island (North and South America) of this very generation would put aside their differences and come to Standing Rock in a war over water and to fight a black snake. Over 300 tribal nations have done exactly that.

Once the water ceremony closes with prayer, everyone hugs, often smiling through tears, and makes their way back to camp from the banks of the river. Many carrying with them a tender reverence for the work at hand. Sharing breakfast with like-minded strangers now feels auspicious. Volunteering begins to give way to a deeper sense of purpose. Numerous art projects, decolonization meetings, direct action organizing, supply runs and so on and so on begin to seem symbiotic within a larger plan that’s been set in motion. Throughout the day the many fires and prayer songs bless every corner of camp at once with a hallowed sense of connection and unity. A powerful sense of oneness with each other and all our relatives resonates throughout the camp and beyond. This interconnectedness that the Lakota acknowledge by saying, “Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ” is patiently waiting to be fully understood.

(Graciously edited by Winston's Journal http://winstonsjournal.Wordpress.com )

[lyricslife]

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glimpses of zion national park. click each photo for the caption :)

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I'm tingling & I'm only on the 5th page! It's like I can see exactly how my life is about to change. #grateful :)

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Presently at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The double rainbow is behind us :)

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Listen, Colorado: I’ve always liked you and thought highly of your people. So, I really don’t understand why you needed to welcome me with THE most terrifying thunderstorm of my life. You have my respect now, too. Okay?! Gosh.

With that said, I am honestly more thankful for the gift of life after driving through & surviving that onslaught. So… thanks, I guess?

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Day 1 of Pilgrimage to Lala. Virginia Beach w the Hummels <3

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in a how much better world we would live in if politeness was rewarded?

The world as it should be <3

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Why Animal Rights Activists Shouldn't Applaud the IDF

by Drew Robert Winter and Missy Lane

On November 1, World Vegan Day, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) released a photo on their Facebook page illustrating their policy accommodating vegan soldiers. The measure includes faux leather boots, a stipend for purchasing one’s own meals and the right to deny immunizations in protest of animal testing. Our article is meant to illustrate why this must not be applauded by animal rights activists. Though appearing as a gesture of compassion, this measure is merely part of an ongoing, conscious marketing campaign by the Israeli government to soften its image and obscure the ruinous effects of its occupation of Palestine.

The occupation is segregation. It is apartheid. Throughout the region the separation by race of Israeli-only roads, schools, busing, jobs and housing are “legally” enforced by the might of the sixth largest nuclear power in the world. The separation wall further illegally annexes Palestinian lands, checkpoints are often sites of humiliation by IDF soldiers, and the visas and ID cards necessary for travel are frequently revoked or denied. This severely limits access to healthcare, work, school, and travel for Palestinians. It also affects the majority of non-Jewish Israelis within Palestine/Israel. Baleka Mbete, the National Chairperson for the African National Congress (formerly lead by Nelson Mandela) said last week at their International Solidarity Conference that she has been to Palestine herself and that the Israeli regime is not only comparable but “far worse than Apartheid South Africa.”

The conference voted to support the Palestinian civil society-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) against Israel.

In response to growing international pressure, the Israeli government has strengthened its efforts of marketing itself as a haven for left-leaning ideals.

“We will send well-known novelists and writers overseas, theater companies, exhibits,” former Israeli Foreign Ministry Deputy Director General Arye Mekel told the New York Times in 2009. “This way you show Israel’s prettier face, so we are not thought of purely in the context of war.”

Since then, other campaigns have sprung up, including the “pink washing” attempts to advertise its tolerance of the LGBTQ community.

While the thriving LGBTQ community in Tel Aviv and even the current anti-fur bill which will hopefully pass in the Knesset are examples of the successful work of progressive Israeli activists, they must be kept in perspective. Nazi Germany enacted extensive environmental and animal protection laws and was the first state to ban vivisection – for which they deserved no praise whatsoever.

Giving commendation for offering cursory animal-friendly options to an institution that is increasingly recognized for human rights atrocities merely serves to further the myth that animal rights activists are misanthropic and will overlook human misfortune as long as fewer animals are killed. Furthermore, the IDF’s trading of animals’ suffering like a bargaining chip in exchange for public approval is itself a form of the exploitation of animals for selfish gain.

Mirroring the fall of apartheid, support for the occupation is crumbling. Those who made public their support for the military that carried out such hateful oppression — and their justifications for it— will be derided as foolish and opportunistic.

As vegan activists who understand that all injustice is intertwined, we must not be bought off with tokens or soften our criticism of a murderous regime. Nor must we ever lose sight of how our liberation is also intertwined—human and nonhuman, the oppressors and those who are oppressed. If we truly believe in justice without prejudice, we must stand in solidarity with the struggle for Palestinian equality and the rights of nonhuman animals everywhere.

Drew Robert Winter is an activist and writer.

Missy Lane worked, studied and traveled throughout Israel, the West Bank and Gaza and has served as a human rights monitor during the olive harvest in Hebron. In 2011 she joined the international “flytilla” action in Tel Aviv and was a passenger aboard the US Boat to Gaza. You can follow her on Twitter: @missylane

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feeling powerless...

if anyone out there can educate me on what i could have done better for her in the future, please let me know!

i sat with a trans woman this afternoon who had just been beaten by her husband. as i walked to meet friends at a rooftop restaurant on a gorgeous DC day, i saw her crying quietly in front of a boarded up business, bleeding from her forehead and eyelids. i acknowledged her crying and tried to see if she was open to sharing her pain with someone. i then walked over and knelt in front of her & touched her leg. i asked how she was doing and she just covered her face. she was disheveled and holding random clothes which i imagine is all she was given time to collect.

it was hard to decipher everything she was saying through her tears and accent. what i gathered was that she'd been w her husband for 10 years and that he beats her. she had a deep scar on her face from lip to cheek bone and other visible scars on her face from prior beatings. she said he called her a bitch and kicked her out of the house. she said other than him, she had no one. all of her family is in guatemala.

as we talked, it was clear that she could never receive the sympathy a "beautiful" woman would were she assaulted. she was born male and clearly couldn't afford the surgery, counseling and prescriptions necessary to make the transition. as such, though she had clearly lived quite some time as female, her large frame, shaved face and self hatred made her so much more susceptible to abuse. it occurred to me how much her abuser is taking out his own self-hatred on her.

i'm hurting for her because i felt so utterly helpless and i have nothing better to give her than this hurt i have and this poorly written blog. sitting with someone through their pain isn't worthless, but it damn sure doesn't get her away from the jerk who makes her feel worthless. 

she wouldn't tell me her name, but if you're reading this, will you please pray for her? luckily in dc, there is a growing awareness of hate-crimes against the trans community. hopefully, with raised awareness around this issue we'll also increasingly become more equipped to combat domestic violence against trans women. 

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Complete: Lovely Level 1 of teacher training. I'm floating on a cloud! It's been a whirlwind 3 weeks and tonight our little class took our finals! 33 hours of theory, history, anatomy and asanas. Joining with open and compassionate yoginis has been the first steps on this beautiful road to discovery. After our finals this evening (where each of us taught a portion of class!) we sat in a circle and offered something we'd learned in class and from another classmate. Such a beautiful culmination to the class. 

I'm so blessed to be under the tutelage of truly impressive instructors. I'm so ready to dive into deepening my practice and taking on the rest of the 200 hour training! First, up though, I'll take prenatal teacher training for a month in October - which your kind donations have already afforded me. Thank you! 

If any of ya's are willing and or able, I'm still raising the funds to afford the rest of TT200. I'm offering all sorts of goodies to folks who donate to or spread the word about my campaign! Check it out here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/217883/pledges/new

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I am soooo fortunate to be part of this program. It’s going along swimmingly. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and financial support! I’m just in level one right now and blown away at how perfectly the lessons suit this time in my life. I’m humbled by just how much there is to learn!

I’m excited for for Prenatal training which I’m able to afford because of the kindness of so many of you. However, to make it to level 2, which also begins in October, I still need a bit of help. I hope you’ll take a glance at my fundraising site! Just click the blog title above :)

Merci beaucoup!

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It's Missy's birthday and she's crowd sourcing her dream to become a yoga teacher! Click the title for the link :)

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My lovely postnatal class. Our teacher Carol (55 shirt) is so impressive. I learned so much more than I bargained for. I'm totally hooked! Onward now to level 1 teacher training in September. Watch this space for exciting deets on that! Well, exciting to me at least ;)

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I was on one of the panels during this 2 day conference in Caracas. This article is in Spanish so don't be afraid to google translate that sucker. Love the quote the used for me. That's fine that they refer to me as a 'he' though. That's fine. :/

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This is one of the short interviews I gave in Caracas. :)