Richard Oakes, born on this day in 1942, was a Mohawk indigenous activist and leader within the Red Power movement, playing a prominent role in the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 - 1971.
Oakes promoted Native American studies in university curricula and is credited for helping to change U.S. federal government "Termination" policies (policies regarding assimilation of indigenous people into the culture of the colonizer) of Native American peoples and culture.
In 1969, Oakes led a 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island with LaNada Means, approximately 50 California State University students, and 37 others. On January 5th, 1970, Oakes' 12-year-old daughter, Yvonne, fell to her death from concrete steps. After her funeral, Oakes left the island.
In 1972, Oakes was shot and killed in Sonoma, California, by Michael Morgan, a YMCA camp manager. Allegedly, Oakes violently confronted Morgan, and Morgan responded by drawing a handgun and fatally shooting Oakes.
Oakes was unarmed when he was shot. Morgan claimed he acted in self-defense, and was acquitted on charges of voluntary manslaughter.
"We do not fear your threat to charge us with crimes on our land. We and all other oppressed peoples would welcome spectacle of proof before the world of your title by genocide. Nevertheless, we seek peace."
Richard Oakes
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House was a show based on Sherlock Holmes reframed as a medical show. I think that's brilliant, but I think we should make a new spin on that. Instead of focusing on victorian detective novels, we should go a little newer. Noir.
Full black and white noir monologuing doctor main character in his shitty clinic that's perpetually running out of money because he does things like let the poor be treated without checking for insurance because beneath his steely labcoat beats a soft heart.
Something something a Trans-Dame slinked into my life, the case of the unprescribed estradiol.
This is a recurring theme because the trans community knows he's chill and provides good care but it's noir so people are constantly dropping murdered rich guys and wierd falcons in this guys lap when they go to get thei prescription.