Pipelines and Water Protectors

2/2/2017

Since April 2016, there have been Native peoples gathered at Standing Rock, ND to challenge the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). They reject the word protesters and want to be known as water protectors. DAPL is a 1,172 mile pipeline that crosses four states and if there is a leak threatens the drinking water of millions of people. This post is left open to let you comment on what you might know, what questions you have, and to think about the rhetorical aspects of this stand against power.

8 Comments

Sydney Cabral

2/6/2017 07:29:42 am

The DAPL issue has been a confusing and heartbreaking one for me. On one hand, I have people telling me that their protesting is pointless because they only started to protest when the pipe was almost done and now they are just looking for money. One the other hand, I have people telling me that these people are fighting for their clean water and the security of their sacred land. I tend to think more like the latter, because with every documentary I see on the issue, i can see the pain of constantly being stepped on in these Native people's eyes. These people, and so many other tribes, have been faced with constant neglect and oppression from our government. This pipeline puts them at risk of losing their clean water and sacred land, and they have so little land left. I hate oil companies anyway, so I am appalled at any pipeline, let alone one that will affect so many people in a negative way.

Sydney Cabral Part 2 (sorry need to add something)

2/6/2017 07:34:57 am

I would also like to add that these people are doing their protests, or whatever people like to call it, peacefully. The brutality that has been shown to thee people is unneeded and cruel. They are simply trying to protect their water, and they are being beat and hosed down because of it. This is supposed to be a country where people stand up for what they believe in and the government listens. When complaints are met with violence to shut them up, there is a serious problem.

Aliza Nantais

4/24/2017 03:39:05 pm

I agree with this, very strongly. The United States is supposedly built on the idea of diversity, free speech, independence, and everything else that these harmful actions against these protesters contradict. "See no evil, speak no evil" should be equivalent to "see no harm, cause no harm" in this case. We as a nation need to use words to stop unwanted actions, not forceful violence. I find it to be a very sad, and scary comment on our society.

Parker Jones

2/6/2017 12:32:19 pm

Based on what I have seen, simply from the way these 'protestors' were handled shows just how little value is placed on native people. The link below mentions that the pipeline was actually rerouted through the land to avoid Bismarck, specifically because of the concerns for the pipeline contaminating the water supply. As far as this pipeline is concerned, that's the most important aspect. Clearly there is no regard for native people if there is a legitimate concern of the pipeline contaminating water and it was forced upon them anyways. This whole issue is just related to how much the government values money and profit over the environment, especially with this new administration.

http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/pipeline-route-plan-first-called-for-crossing-north-of-bismarck/article_64d053e4-8a1a-5198-a1dd-498d386c933c.html

Tristen Merchant

4/3/2017 08:19:05 am

I agree with your perspective on this issue Parker. I think that at this point in time, as well as throughout most of history, the government views the natives of this country as more of a hindrance than anything else. I think it's disgraceful the way that we treat natives as though they don't matter and, ultimately, as though they are second-class citizens. A person's a person's a person. These people have rights and sadly, with the way things are looking at this moment in time, I do not believe that equality will ever truly be reached.

On another note, the violation of the environment for corporations to profit is something else that haunts our race. We have a tendency to chase dollar signs and put the environment on the back-burner.

Matt Howard

4/6/2017 07:23:10 am

I think this whole situation could have been handled better from the start. Throughout history of the US government Native Americans have been mistreated. At times they have been seen more of an annoyance than anything else. From once having vasts amounts of land they now only have their reservations, and I feel like we have taken way more then enough from them. I think that the Pipeline should go around the reservation and also take extra steps to make sure that the water in the area doesn't become contaminated in case there is a leak.

David Creed

5/3/2017 10:51:39 am

Native Americans have been treated poorly in this country for a long time. I believe this is just another example of the United States fulfilling something that can benefit them even if it is at the expense of others. In regard to protesters, here is the mindset I have. There are two kinds of groups. People who protest with the hope of getting something done that is positive, and people who cause violence, riots, and controversy solely to cause a scene, steal, loot, etc. If there are people who are peacefully protesting something and fighting for something they are passionate for, they have every right to do so. Regardless of whether I agree with something or not, or whether our class agrees with something or not, we have to respect peaceful protests and rallies, because if we don't respect there's, how can we expect these people to respect the opposite side or anyone else when the roles are reversed? Peaceful protest and freedom of speech is one of the greatest assets the United States has to offer, and I will always respect a peaceful protest, regardless of what it is for.

Cuckold Basildon link

11/16/2024 03:58:18 am

Loved reading thiss thanks

Pipelines and Water Protectors

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