The Tyranny of "Firsts" - Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez gives us much needed perspective.

[Bumbles]

"How a United States of America's favorite congratulatory headline erases the rest of human history."

"What I’d like to see, instead of 'Will this be America’s first Muslim senator,' is a headline closer to the truth: 'Will The United States of America’s caste-driven white Christofascist gatekeepers finally allow a Muslim senator, a thousand years after Muslim societies were running some of the most advanced governments on Earth?'

https://alisav.substack.com/p/the-tyranny-of-firsts

[erronis]

1. She writes such thoughtful and powerful pieces.

Thank you for bringing them to our attention.

[Bumbles]

4. You're welcome.

I appreciate her critiques on art, as well.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. We haven't had a Native American senator yet

although we've had congresscritters, governors, and a couple of cabinet members (all Democrats, IIRC), and they also had some pretty good civilizations going on before we got here, despite what the white Christofascists will tell you. And there have likewise been such in Africa and Asia long before us.

[Celerity]

3. Incorrect: Markwayne Mullin (Cherokee Nation) - 2023 to Present, Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) - 1993 to

to 2005

Charles Curtis (Kaw Nation) – 1907 to 1913 and 1915 to 1929 (Later served as Vice President)

Robert L. Owen (Cherokee Nation) – 1907 to 1925

https://www.senate.gov/senators/american-indian-senators.htm

All but Owen were Republicans, as Nighthorse Campbell switched from being a Democrat to being a Republican, on March 3, 1995.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. The Republicans in those days (prior to 1985 or so) were different

They had morals. Hell, my grandparents were Republicans but my grandma, the last surviving one, gave it up after Nixon. She'd had enough! And I think Ben Nighthorse Campbell, to the best of my recollection, was a congressman, not a senator. My bad if he wasn't.

I suspect most of the Cherokee nation is ashamed of ol' Markwayne. Unless he's a Pretendian, of course. I sure would be.

[Celerity]

6. I posted the link from the US Senate in my original reply as proof of my claim.

Btw, Ben Nighthorse Campbell was a US Senator from Colorado from January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2005.

He was a member (as a Democrat) of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 3rd district from January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1993.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Nighthorse_Campbell

[Jilly_in_VA]

7. OK, my bad

My comment about Markwayne stands, however.

[Celerity]

8. Oh, for sure. He is a RW POS.