Reuben Snake: Your Humble Serpent

As told to Jay C. Fikes

Whose Stories Are Told? – In reading this fascinating account of the life and times of “Indian visionary and activist” Reuben Snake, I couldn’t help but think about current Republican measures to ban books and prohibit teachers from discussing certain topics. Such hateful policies are brewed in fear, and such actions will only widen as Republicans lash out to gain and retain political power. Over the years, the white patriarchy in the United States has used more deadly means (genocide, slavery) and more hidden, structural means (discriminatory laws and biased financial lending practices) to maintain the status quo. We’re now living in a time, emboldened by Trump, when Republicans feel far more comfortable blatantly exhibiting their bloodthirst, extolling their bigotry, and squashing history and facts they find inconvenient. Now, more than ever, the voices and stories of Reuben Snake and so many others must be spotlighted and amplified.