Geronimo: more than a code name
What brought relief to some, brought insult to others. With release of the information that the message sent to the White House was "Geronimo" was killed, memories of racial discrimination and genocide were awakened for not only the ancestors of the Apache leader but all Onkewhón: we people of North America.
Social media was bombarded with reaction to the use of the word "Geronimo" as a code name for Osama bin Laden from native journalists, organizations and leadership. The perception that the United States equated their No. 1 enemy and most wanted terrorist to an Apache leader was beyond insulting.
Of course I'm empathetic to the people of the United States in accomplishing their goal of capturing/ killing Osama bin Laden. They've waited 10 years to celebrate the accomplishment of this mission and bring vindication for that terrible day of Sept. 11, 2001. However, to name their mission after one of the finest native leaders, Geronimo, is not only questionable, it's offensive.
In a statement released May 3, 2011, by the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs on behalf of the Haudenosaunee, they describe this choice of "Geronimo" as a code word as "reprehensible," "illogical" and "insulting." They write, "This kind of thinking indicates little progress in a mature social development of United States leadership."
To equate Geronimo to Osama bin Laden is a testament to the state of misunderstanding that still persists about Onkwehón: we people by United States leadership. Geronimo was a leader who tried to save his people from further oppression and genocide. He was relied upon as a spiritual leader and spokesperson. Geronimo died in a state of capture in 1909. The similarities of situation to bin Laden are not recognized by Onkwehón: we people, so the choice of code word is offensive.
Loretta Tuell, chief counsel for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, is quoted as saying, "These inappropriate uses of native American icons and cultures are prevalent throughout society and the impacts to native and non-native children are devastating." Ironically, there is a hearing on Thursday with the Senate Indian Affairs committee that will address racial stereotypes of native people. It's been announced that the committee will be discussing the use of the code name "Geronimo" specifically.
Why the fascination with appropriating native culture and names for everything from streets to silverware? There are many, including the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Redskins and Oneida silverware to name just three.
As recent as August 2010, Mayor Bloomberg of New York City advised then-governor David Patterson to get "a cowboy hat and a shotgun" to deal with the Seneca people regarding collection of cigarette taxes. The Native American Journalists Association responded with a letter to Bloomberg that described his words as "demeaning" and suggested he educate himself on "tribal sovereignty" as well as requesting an apology from him to all tribal nations.
On the same day, Obama is scheduled to meet with the families of the victims of 9-11 at Ground Zero in New York City.
Obama certainly has some explaining to do to the Indigenous peoples of North America. For someone whose own peoples suffered atrocities from colonialism, it's implausible that he didn't know that this choice of code name would be offensive. The question is, "why didn't he change it?" The decision to inextricably link Osama bin Laden to Geronimo in U.S. history books will no doubt be a part of Obama's legacy as will his decision to green light the mission.
L.M. VanEvery is a journalist from the Mohawk nation and the wolf clan.