Three homeless buddies enter a half empty McDonalds on Seventh Avenue in Phoenix, AZ. Two of them order from the dollar menu while the other waits. To avoid the eat-in tax the group says the order is to go, then shuffles over to the table where they start to eat. An employee notices but lets it go and continues sweeping the floors.I’m clearing the tray of my own dollar menu when one of the guys asked for75 cents. This was for a cheeseburger, apparently, but they were loaded, and we all knew the quarters would go on booze. We ended up striking a deal: “I give you the .75 cents,” I say, “if you give me an interview.” They happily agree.
Before me is 51 year-old Milton, his friend Bernagleene, 49, and Ray Tomas, 35. They are Native Americans, alcoholics and homeless. Milton is the leader while Ray is more quiet.
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jujuman13
Native born Americans (Yep those we choose to call Indians) have every reason to detest us.
We invaded their country and stole not only their land but also their way of life.
What have we given them in return?
Dishonest politicians who rip them off at every turn.
If I were of their tribe, I too would be pissed off.
The term "Indians" on Native Americans has been used for years. There's no way to change it unless our American history textbooks decide to change. Also, alcoholism does not directly force Ray and his friends to live like "homeless". It's their decisions to live their lives this way.
Some of the more traditional Natives will say they are neither and will tell you that they are for example, Sqwelixw (Salish) or hinoni'ei (Arapaho). They will tell you the word in their language that their people have for themselves, which usually translates to "The People." In actuality, they will not identify themselves as Native Americans or Indians, because they are People. Anyways, I liked the story. It is sad that some people don't see the potential they have inside themselves. Instead of dealing with their problems in a good way, they turn to band-aid approaches to a problem. It is a cycle that repeats itself and is predictable like the cycle of the moon. I know people personally who are like that and I wonder why? Then, I get mad. I just don't understand it.