“The key has been the ability of Navajos who maintain traditional beliefs to cope, and the attitude that allows them to persevere. The culture teaches that wealth isn’t measured by dollars and that the language, the land and kinship are the greatest survival tools.”
Sorry. I b@rf when I hear phrases like that.
> Sorry. I b@rf when I hear phrases like that.
Living as I do near Ithaca, NY, we hear those sorts of touchy-feely phrases every day. Mostly makes me wanna puke too.
However, as it applies to the Navajo, I'd be willing to bet they are talking about their long-term cultural wealth, not the individual transient wealth of an individual. If it were phrased a little less NewAge-y, I'd bet that a majority of FReepers would sign up to it. Maybe this:
"As conservatives, whether rich or poor, we love and treasure our Nation, our families, and our language, and we believe these are among the lasting traditional values of America."I ain't a writer, but something like that.... anyway, just sayin' beneath the uber-groovy words, there may be more in common that is immediately evident.
Let’s see, Language (implies abstract thinking, planning and organisation as well as the ability to communicate), land to grow food and other raw materials and family members to help you defend it.
Yep, those are the best survival tools.
I suspect they have a strong and untaxed cash and barter economy to supplement their federal BIA welfare checks.