Thoughts about rumors~ The best thing that ever happened to me is my children. Without question the worst thing that has ever happened to me is not the loss of my unborn child and its mother which devastated me; but an awful and untruthful rumor about us that spread like wildfire shortly after they passed away.
It has taken me years to recover from this but I didn't know how to fight it. Instead, I withdrew from the community I love and focused on being a dad to the kids that are still with me and truth be told, one of them really needed that attention from me. That young adult is now doing very well as is my other loveable munchkin.
Non NDNs deal with this sort of thing by taking people to court and several times I very nearly pulled the trigger on that option but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I wasn't sure why but I felt like it wouldn't solve the real damage done to me spiritually and the dishonor I have experienced publicly since this began.
As much as I have tried to keep people from finding out about this rumor someone has decided to reintroduce it into the community with a few juicy twists and the response of two of my friends, neither of whom had ever heard it before made me realize why I don't want to take this court.
Indian Country is small. People who really know me know what is being said could not be true. People who really know me stood up for me on 2 different occasions when the rumor mongers wanted to share some exciting gossip. That's how to defeat black propaganda.
Starting today I officially forgive those who have spread these rumors and end my withdrawal from the community. I realize now keeping a low profile has only helped the rumor spread. I will be at as many events at as many places as I can get to and I will be open and honest as I can be with anyone who wants to know the truth. It did occur to me one or two people may have shared the rumor because they honestly believe it rather than just being bad people.
Forgiveness, Openness and Honesty. Another way tradition is better than the modern way of doing things.
Your friendly neighborhood Ravenspeaker
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