This is about saving the land and the spirit of the land.
To many of us Europeans the land is just real estate -
and real estate is big in the Hamptons.
But think: where did this real estate come from?
I have no more words.
So I borrow some from a Native brother.
Luther Standing Bear was a 20th century Lakota chief. He said:
"But in the Indian the spirit of the land is still vested,
it will be until other men are able to divine
and meet its rhythm.
Men must be born and reborn to belong.
Their bodies must be formed
of the dust of their forefathers' bones." *
Chief Standing Bear also said:
" The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart,
away from nature, becomes hard;
he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things
soon led to lack of respect for humans too. " *
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* quoted from "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthiessen , Viking, New York, 1991
Testimony in regard to preserving land in Shinnecock Hills. Delivered to Southampton Town Board, August 22, 2006 by Anthony Ernst.
