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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  • SSJ2Marx
    ·
    edit-2
    1 month ago

    Why do dogs like tennis balls so much? Is it their slightly furry texture reminding them of catching a small prey? Or is it the fact that small, spherical, bouncy things don't exist in nature that makes them such an appealing toy?

    Or maybe they don't care for tennis balls either way, and their true motivation is the fact that playing with one is a surefire way to entice a human into playing with them.

    • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]
      ·
      1 month ago

      I think its the bounciness. Only ball my dog ever gave even a single fuck about was a largish rubber bouncy ball that we played with in a empty parking lot. (it was really funny till I lost the ball)

      My guy barely plays with sticks. You throw a stick for him and he'll just watch it fall unless he is at like 7/10 excitedness. He will never bring the stick back for you to throw again. He might come back 3/4 of the way to try and get you to chase/fight him for the stick but more likely he will just take it somewhere comfy to chew on it. If you do fight/chase him for the stick and get it from him you will only get to throw it like 2 or 3 more times before he gives up.