The dress.
The dress spoke.
The dress spoke loudly, drowning out the speeches of
important people in the room.
The dress spoke the stories of Ancestors.
The dress spoke truth about this land’s conquest and the way
brown and black bodies have been used to build an empire not meant for them to
enjoy.
The dress spoke of resilience.
The dress spoke of pride in culture, language, and
traditional ways.
The dress spoke of new days of seeing.
The dress spoke of new ways of being.
The dress healed.
Last Thursday, at the swearing-in ceremony for Deb Haaland
as the first Indigenous person to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior, she spoke volumes without needing to utter a word. She spoke through the traditional clothes she wore for the occasion.
It is worth noting that until the mid-19th Century
the United States dealt with Native Americans under the Department of War, treating
these original inhabitants of the land as enemies who stood in the way of gold,
land, and manifest destiny for those of European descent (e.g. white men). In
1849, issues dealing with Native Americans were transferred to the Department
of the Interior, with no change in the barrage of policies and campaigns meant
to eradicate this population and their cultures from this land. Now, an
Indigenous woman is leading this office.
Hailing from Laguna Pueblo, Secretary Haaland has carried her culture boldly and proudly with each new step of her career. On Capitol Hill, where dress pants and sports coats are the norm for women, she chose a sky blue, rainbow-trimmed ribbon skirt embroidered with imagery of butterflies, stars and corn.
Moccasin boots, dragonfly earrings, and a turquoise and silver
belt and necklace completed her outfit.
The choice of clothes and the clothes themselves offer healing
to us all.
The headline of the New York Times article the next day read
“Deb Haaland Makes History, and Dresses for It.”
Indeed she did.
p.s. The Instagram post from the maker of the dress Secretary Haaland wore is worth
reading – click here.
In my 72 years there are many things I thought I would never see.
ReplyDeleteYour observation points to a new enlightenment that seems to be unfolding amidst the chaos.
It becomes easier to look to the Light when one sees the dress.
Thanks so much for this... LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteI sit here with tears in my eyes celebrating what you put so beautifully into words about Deb Haaland. I heard on the news that she was sworn in by our wonderful new VP, but had not seen pictures of what she wore to truly understand the magnitude of her appointment. I had no idea that the position she holds was the same government department that wanted to eradicate indigenous peoples. My hope and joy for all the perspective new beginnings we are feeling - change in our leaders, vaccines and spring is renewed.
ReplyDeleteYes, her cultural attire was an affirmation, it was a courageous and powerful statement - WE ARE STILL HERE! As she was being sworn in, I too felt all that she was speaking without the spoken word. Her presence in her traditional attire spoke volumes. We felt it and we loved it. Your blog was a much needed insight for us all.
ReplyDelete